Expansion works on Northern Bypass expected to ease trade
Kampala. The second phase of expanding the Kampala Northern Bypass has started.
While conducting a spot check on various areas of the project’s coverage including Busega, Gayaza and Namanve, Mr Francesco Franca, the Mota-Engil, Engenharia E Construcao SA country manager, told journalists they would focus on improving on the road network’s drainage system, expansion and road surfaces.
The Shs200b project seeks to relieve Kampala City of traffic congestion while reducing national and regional transport constraints along the Northern Corridor Route by turning the entire stretch of the Northern Bypass into a four-lane dual carriage road connecting to the Entebbe Expressway.
The 21-kilometre stretch starts from Mandela Stadium at Bweyogerere through Naalya, Bwaise before connecting to Busega roundabout on Masaka Road.
Works have already begun in swampy areas with stone, rocks and geogrids fill-ups to prevent water erosion into settlements.
Mr Francesco said they had brought in the necessary machinery required to change the road into a superhighway.
“We have brought in the machines. And we are counting on our vast experience to do a good job,” he said.
The Portuguese construction company Mota-Engil, Engenharia E Construcao SA, which has had similar works in Namibia, Angola, Malawi, Swaziland and Botswana, has also finished to erect a quarry crasher brought in from Malawi at a cost of more than Shs56m ($20,000).
It has a workforce of about 280 workers with 250 Ugandans and 30 expatriates.
The project, which is funded by the European Investment Bank, European Union and government of Uganda, will also include the construction of new foot bridges, widening of grade junction at Sentema.
About northern bypass
The second phase which will involve dualling will also involve removing roundabouts and replacing them with flyovers to improve traffic flow.