KURA Announces Extended Partial Closures on Key Nairobi Roads for Bridge and Culvert Works

The Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) has notified the public of upcoming partial road closures across several busy sections of Nairobi to allow contractors to carry out bridge construction and drainage improvement works. The measures, announced on Monday, June 8, affect major routes and will run for periods ranging from one week to eight months.

The longest closure covers a section of Kenyatta Avenue, Valley Road, and Jakaya Kikwete Road. It begins on Friday, June 12, 2026, and runs until Friday, February 12, 2027. The eight-month window is required for bridge construction works, with KURA stating that alternative routes will be signposted and traffic marshals deployed to minimise disruption.

A four-month partial closure on Haile Selassie Avenue starts on the same date, June 12, and ends on October 12, 2026. This stretch will also undergo bridge construction, with similar provisions for detours and on-site traffic management.

Shorter-term works affect Ngong Road. From Thursday, June 11, to Thursday, June 18, 2026, a one-week closure between Windy Ridge and Westwood Park Road will enable the installation of twin cross culverts. This section will see diverted traffic flows marked on accompanying sketches.

Public reaction on social media has been swift, with many road users questioning the timing and duration of the closures. Several comments highlighted concerns over increased congestion on already busy corridors and called for night-time construction to reduce daytime disruption.

Nairobi’s road network has seen sustained investment in recent years, yet persistent challenges with traffic flow and drainage during heavy rains remain. Bridge and culvert upgrades address both structural needs and flood resilience, particularly on routes that serve high volumes of daily commuters and commercial traffic.

The staggered start dates give authorities a brief window to communicate the changes before the first closures take effect. KURA has urged cooperation and directed the public to its official channels for updates and detailed diversion maps.

Construction activity of this nature often triggers short-term pain for long-term gain in rapidly growing cities. Once complete, the new bridge structures and improved drainage are expected to enhance connectivity and reduce maintenance-related disruptions in the future.

The authority has not yet released detailed timelines for specific phases of the bridge works or expected completion milestones within the overall windows. Motorists and businesses along the affected corridors are advised to monitor official updates closely in the coming days.

This report draws from information released by the Kenya Urban Roads Authority on X.