EAC Road Transport sub-sector Projects
The following are EAC roads sector projects directly coordinated by the EAC Secretariat:
1. Kenya/Tanzania: Arusha – Namanga – Athi River Road Project (240 km) Road
The objective of this 240 km long road project was to construct a highway to boost regional trade and tourism and reduce transportation costs.
The rehabilitated Arusha – Namanga – Athi River Road was launched by the EAC Heads of State at Athi River Town in Kenya on 28 November 2012. The completed construction of a One Stop Border Post (OSBP) at Namanga has also facilitated the region in realising the full benefits of the reconstructed road, that is, the reduction of transit times at the borders and lower costs of vehicle operations. With the completion of the road project, the highway now has a uniform width of 7.0m and 2.0m wide shoulders, thus providing a safe driving environment and reducing travel time between Nairobi and Arusha from 5 hours to 3 hours.
2. Kenya/Tanzania: Arusha – Holili – Taveta – Voi Road Project (260 km) Road
Linking Kenya and Tanzania at the Teveta/Holili border, the objective of the project was to improve the access road linking the Central and Northern Corridors and the port of Mombasa. The project scope included widening to dual carriageway standards of a 14 km section in Arusha, construction of a new 42 km long bypass of Arusha city and upgrading from gravel to bitumen surface of the 90 km stretch from the Taveta border town to Mwatate in Kenya. The Kenyan section of the road was completed in June, 2017 while the Tanzanian components were completed in April, 2019. Similarly, construction of a One Stop Border Post at Holili/Taveta is complete and operational.
3. Kenya/Tanzania: Malindi – Lunga Lunga and Tanga – Bagamoyo (400 km) Road
The road runs along the East African coastline which has a rich tourism and agricultural (horticultural) potential. The project has several components: the Nyali – Mtwapa Dual carriageway including grade separated junctions, Mtwapa – Kilifi – Malindi (Kenya) and the Tanga – Mkwaja – Bagamoyo road, the Pangani River Bridge and the Wami River Bridge (Tanzania). The detailed designs for the project were completed and submitted to the EAC Secretariat and the national roads authorities in Kenya and Tanzania in June, 2015. The project is currently at construction bidding stage and will be funded through a loan from the ADF and a grant from the EU.
4. Tanzania/Rwanda: Lusahunga – Rusumo (91 km) & Kayonza – Kigali (75 km) Road
The road includes the rehabilitation of the pavement and widening of the carriageway on the Tanzanian side and strengthening and widening of the road on the Rwandan side. Feasibility studies commenced in April, 2016 and were completed in February, 2019. Mobilization of funds for construction is ongoing and it is expected that the bidding process will commence during 2020.
5. Tanzania/Burundi: Nyakanazi – Kasulu – Manyovu (260 km) & Rumonge – Rutunga – Bujumbura (45 km) Road
The project scope involves upgrading from gravel to bitumen of 200km on the Tanzanian side and the rehabilitation of the bitumen section in Burundi. Feasibility studies commenced in April, 2016 and were completed in November 2018. Funding for works has been secured from the AfDB and bidding for construction contracts is ongoing.
6. Uganda/Tanzania: Masaka-Mutukula-Kyaka (120 km) & Bugene-Kasulo-Kumunazi (133 km) Road
The project scope consists of rehabilitation of the bitumen section in Uganda and the upgrading from gravel to bitumen of the road section on the Tanzanian side. The studies commenced in August, 2018 and are scheduled for completion by the end of 2020. Mobilization of funds for construction is also ongoing.