The Kampala Northern Bypass road upgrade project is 93% complete.
This was revealed by the Uganda National roads Authority (UNRA) Executive Director, Allen Kagina, during an inspection tour of the Kampala Northern Bypass road project yesterday afternoon.
“We have had a challenging 12 months owing to the Covid-19 pandemic. I am proud of the UNRA team that has ensured we continue to carry out these important works in a surreal environment,” Kagina said.
“The Kampala Northern Bypass is mission-critical and is the anchor upon which traders, business owners, workers, factory owners etc are able to bring to life their various economic activities. We are happy to enable the continued growth of Kampala city’s economy through world-class road & bridge infrastructure,” she added.
The second phase of the upgrade project of the Kampala Northern Bypass started in July 2014. The project is intended to improve the capacity of the Northern Bypass through relieving congestion on this vital Route, reducing travel time and vehicle operating costs. To achieve these objectives, the road upgrade project includes the following;
- Construction of an additional carriageway, approximately 17.5km long, to complete the dualization of the Kampala Northern Bypass to a modern 4-lane dual carriageway road.
- Construction of 3 new footbridges at Kyebando, Ntinda, and Naalya. These are intended to allow safe crossing of road by pedestrians.
- Construction of 6 new grade separated interchanges at Sentema Rd, Hoima Rd, Gayaza Rd, Bukoto – Kyebando, Ntinda and Naalya road crossings. These are intended to separate the express traffic along the Northern Bypass from the adjoining traffic from the connecting roads for instance Nabulagala – Sentema road, Hoima Road, and Kampala-Gayaza Road. This means that transit heavy laden trade traffic, such as cargo, wont have to pass through the city.
- Comprehensive road safety features such as:
- Segregated facilities for cyclists and pedestrians
- Improved lighting
- Active road-studs
- Improved at-grade crossings at signalized junctions
- Full length road edge safety barriers, among others;
- The project has a number of improvements to cater for a better functionality like improved drainage systems with large capacity drains and box culverts, constructions of utility services crossing ducts (fibre, electricity lines, water pipe) to avoid future damage to the road.
The overall physical progress as at end of June 2021 was 93% and the contractor is fully mobilized to ensure completion of works by close of October 2021.
“It is important to note that the project suffered significant delays due to lack of full right of way and possession of site by the contractor and as such the contractor’s productivity and progress was hindered,” UNRA says, adding that:
The challenges that delayed the timely land acquisition arose from;
Energy Ministry Orders UEDCL Board to Investigate Top Management Over Performance Gaps- design improvements which necessitated additional land take,
- disputed compensation amounts by Project Affected Persons (PAPs),
- family disputes over land ownership,
- absentee landlords
The roads authority notes that the Contractor was able to work around the obstacles to mitigate excessive delays.
“UNRA has now granted the Contractor full access to site and accelerated progress is being observed.
UNRA is happy to share that the sections between Busega – Hoima Rd interchange (Namungoona), Naalya interchange – Namboole and the three footbridges at Kyebando, Ntinda, and Naalya, have been completed and opened to the public for use. UNRA encourages the general public to make use of these facilities especially the completed footbridges to enhance safety,” the authority says.
As they go about their works, UNRA says appeals to the public to adhere to the traffic guidelines put in place.
“As the works progress, UNRA is alive to the intermittent traffic interruptions at specific construction sites. UNRA acknowledges the obvious inconvenience these interruptions cause and extends an apology to the public.
“UNRA appeals to the public to continue observing the traffic management guidelines that have been put in place to enhance safety, enable smooth flow of traffic and avoid accidents,” UNRA says.
