Key Facts
- Road
- Mombasa Road (A8) at Highway Educational Complex near Bellevue
- Closure Period
- August 10 to September 14, 2026
- Reason
- Construction of a box culvert for drainage improvement
- Traffic Management
- Two lanes closed at a time; remaining lanes open interchangeably
- Temporary Infrastructure
- 3-metre-wide diversion and 900-mm-diameter culvert pipe
- Authority
- Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA)
Background
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has announced a temporary partial closure of a section of Mombasa Road (A8) at the Highway Educational Complex near Bellevue in Nairobi. The closure will run from Monday, August 10, to Monday, September 14, 2026, to facilitate construction of a box culvert aimed at improving drainage infrastructure along the busy highway.
Mombasa Road is one of Kenya's busiest transport corridors, linking Nairobi's central business district to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the Inland Container Depot, and the Port of Mombasa. Traffic congestion is common along the route, particularly during peak hours.
Current Situation
In a public notice issued on Monday, KeNHA said the section will be temporarily and interchangeably closed on both carriageways. The authority stated that only two lanes will be closed at any one time, while the remaining lanes will continue to carry traffic in both directions throughout the construction period.
KeNHA Director General Luka Kimeli said the works will be undertaken in phases to minimise disruption. 'All motorists using this road section will utilize the unclosed two lanes, which shall be provided interchangeably during the construction period to minimize traffic interruptions,' Luka said.
Temporary traffic management measures will be installed, including traffic cones, warning signs, road markings, and deployment of traffic marshals. A three-metre-wide diversion and a temporary 900-millimetre-diameter culvert pipe will be installed to maintain traffic flow while the permanent box culvert is constructed.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Road Section | Mombasa Road (A8) near Bellevue |
| Start Date | August 10, 2026 |
| End Date | September 14, 2026 |
| Duration | 5 weeks |
| Lanes Closed | 2 at a time |
| Diversion Width | 3 metres |
| Temporary Culvert Pipe Diameter | 900 mm |
Impacts
Motorists using Mombasa Road should expect traffic disruptions over the next five weeks. The partial closure will affect both carriageways, potentially causing delays, especially during peak hours. Commuters heading to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, the Inland Container Depot, and the Port of Mombasa may experience longer travel times.
KeNHA urges motorists to cooperate with traffic police officers and marshals on site and to strictly adhere to the temporary traffic management plan. 'Motorists are advised to follow the proposed traffic management plan as well as cooperate with the police and traffic marshals on site. Normal traffic operations on the road will be restored upon completion of the works,' Luka said.
Future Outlook
Scenario analysis: The possibilities below are not certain predictions.
If the construction proceeds as scheduled, normal traffic operations on Mombasa Road are expected to be restored after September 14, 2026. The new box culvert could improve drainage infrastructure, potentially reducing flooding-related disruptions in the future.
However, if weather conditions or unforeseen challenges delay the works, the closure period may be extended, leading to prolonged traffic disruptions. Motorists are advised to plan their journeys accordingly and consider alternative routes during the construction period.
The phased approach and temporary measures could mitigate severe congestion, but the effectiveness will depend on compliance with traffic management plans and the cooperation of road users.
Source: allafrica.com
