Traffic diverted as construction of Kampala Flyover starts

An artistic impression of the Clock Tower flyover. The road from Shoprite at Queen’s Way towards Katwe side will be widened to have more lanes.

Traffic at Shoprite and Clock Tower junctions will be temporarily diverted as the construction of the Kampala Flyover Construction and Road Upgrading project (KFCRUP) starts.

The project is a joint venture between Shimizu Corporation and Konoike Construction Company Ltd.

Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) officials on Tuesday issued a statement announcing what they termed as “temporary diversion of traffic” around Clock Tower and Shoprite junction also known as Queens Way junction and Nsambya Road.  

They, however, clarified that this is not total road closure but rather diverting traffic to one lane instead of the current two lanes being used. 

UNRA officials say, as construction starts, motorists as well as cyclists should expect delays because of the traffic jam in the affected areas especially during rush hours.

However, the affected roads will be closed for 24 hours from Wednesday May 15 to Friday June 12 2019.

A schedule for temporary traffic diversion states that Nsambya road will be jammed for 10 days, Queens Way will be for 10 days while the jam at Clock Tower and Shoprite Junction will persist for  20 days. 

This implies that Kampala-bound traffic (Nsambya to Kampala) shall use the lane on the extreme left. This will also apply to  Nsambya bound travellers (Kampala to Nsambya)/Kibuli traffic who will use the lane on the extreme left.

Entebbe-bound traffic (Kampala to Entebbe) will also use the lane to extreme left. “We urge road users to take note of the above schedule and adjust accordingly,” a UNRA statement reads in part. “We deeply regret the inconveniences caused and look forward to your understanding and good cooperation.” 

The Kampala Flyover Road Project is a road-improvement project in the Central Division of Kampala.

Background

The flyover project will be executed in phases. Phase 2 will be on Jinja Road near the Centenary Park and Wampewo Roundabout.  JICA will also fund it. The tendering of the design for the second phase will be announced next year. Phase two is expected to cost Shs659 billion.

JICA conceived the flyover project eight years ago after commissioning studies to explore options for alleviating chronic traffic jams around the Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area. The flyovers are also expected to connect outwards to the proposed Kampala-Jinja and Kampala-Mpigi Expressways.

The government and Japanese government signed a loan for the flyover project in 2015.