Construction of the Airtel Footbridge along Mombasa Road has advanced visibly. Recent images show fabricated steel beams installed over the carriageway near the Airtel Complex, between the General Motors area and the Nairobi Expressway.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) first closed sections for beam installation on the weekend of June 13 to 14, 2026. It shut the Mombasa-bound carriageway of Mombasa Road and both carriageways of the Nairobi Expressway for 24 hours.
A further closure followed on the weekend of June 20 to 21. This targeted the Nairobi-bound carriageway between Airtel Complex and General Motors to allow installation of additional beams.
KeNHA said the works required safe, vibration-free conditions for heavy lifting. Precise alignment of multi-tonne beams over live traffic leaves no room for passing vehicles.
The footbridge spans both the lower Mombasa Road carriageway and the elevated Nairobi Expressway. It addresses a long-standing safety gap for pedestrians in the busy corridor.
Since the Expressway opened, residents and workers between General Motors and Airtel Complex walked long distances to the nearest crossing. Many risked dangerous dashes across high-speed lanes.
KeNHA Deputy Director of Corporate Communication Samwel Kumba noted that beams and supporting columns represent roughly 60 percent of footbridge construction. Deck finishing and ramps follow the main structure.
During closures, KeNHA diverted Mombasa-bound traffic through Likoni Road and Enterprise Road. Expressway users rerouted via Southern Bypass and Eastern Bypass exits.
The Airtel Footbridge forms part of KeNHA efforts to add pedestrian infrastructure on major corridors. Mombasa Road, Waiyaki Way and Thika Road have seen repeated pedestrian incidents in recent years.
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