How multi-modal transit hub will ease city traffic

**Massive traffic jam along the Nairobi-Nakuru Highway. December 23, 2024.** [File, Standard]

As a busy city, Nairobi lacks adequate systems for dealing with traffic jams and pedestrian movements. For instance, the Uhuru Highway and Haile Selassie Avenue intersection is one of the most frequented and disorganised areas.

Hopefully, for the better, the Green Park underpass is almost ready, with a recent check by top government officials indicating it is currently 88 per cent complete. The underpass is not simply another infrastructure construction; it serves as a hopeful answer for the infrastructure void in ease of mobility in transit. It is intended as a sophisticated means of allowing pedestrians to cross under a busy road.

It will allow movement from the Green Park Terminus, Uhuru Park, and Nairobi Railways Station to the CBD, the heart of the city, while enhancing pedestrian safety. At the centre of this mammoth venture is the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), a world-leading infrastructure heavyweight and a prominent player in Kenya.

CRBC is implementing the transformative project under the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) as an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Turnkey Project. CRBC’s experience and specialisation in engineering will transform Nairobi into a safe, smart, and modern city.

But why is the Green Park underpass significant?

Nairobi’s urbanisation has grown rapidly, outpacing its infrastructure projects, with heavy traffic on the roads, endangering pedestrian safety. The Green Park Terminus will be a key matatu and bus drop-off or pick-up point from Ngong Road, Langata Road, and Argwings Kodhek. Hence, the frequency of foot traffic at this intersection will be much higher. Without a thoughtful fix, this clash between pedestrian and vehicular traffic would only get worse. The underpass, dimensioned for a flow of 2,500 people per hour per metre and a peak of up to 29,000 people per hour, will address this head-on.

CRBC’s design prioritises safety and enhances the pedestrian experience. Drawing inspiration from the world’s best models, such as the pedestrian tunnels of London and integrated underground walkways of Hong Kong, there are four independent pedestrian tunnels with eight access and egress points. Commuters will find bright corridors, retail shops, coffee shops, and security cameras throughout. It’s a safe, pleasant space that promotes transit efficiency and encourages social interaction.

The addition of amenities and commercial space follows a worldwide model wherein pedestrian infrastructure also functions as economic and social centres. CRBC is revolutionising the definition of pedestrian tunnels for the African city—the term is no longer a passageway from one point to another, but an alive, connected urban area—by providing clear, organised and ventilated walkways.

The underpass is one of several initiatives to improve Nairobi’s transport system. Next is the Nairobi Railway City Project, an urban renewal programme that makes provision for a multi-modal transportation node. Passing under the Green Park is an important thread connecting the city to this new heart.

The project is a critical component of Nairobi's development as a global metropolis. Environmental and social planning have been carefully addressed. From replanting trees to improving drainage and moving utilities, sustainable development principles have been woven into the fabric of the project. In this way, the underpass is not only a transportation solution, but a force towards more green and intelligent urban development.

The Green Park underpass represents a dramatic departure from just managing congestion to embracing visionary, design-led solutions. The undertaking evidences a commitment to rethinking urban transportation, pedestrian needs, sustainability, and economic development.