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Nairobi Expressway: 7 Simple Steps to Use The Fancy New Highway

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Nairobi expressway

Nairobians are buzzing over the completion of the Nairobi expressway and fairly so, no one wouldn’t, not after spending hours in traffic to simply move from point A to point B along the busy Mombasa Road.

The 27.1-kilometre expressway, which is expected to reduce travel time on the busiest highway from two hours to twenty minutes, begins in Mlolongo before cutting through the CBD and ending at the James Gichuru junction.

The road will be operated for 27 years by Moja Expressway, a subsidiary of China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), in order to repay the funds through toll payments.

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Nairobi expressway (courtesy, Capital FM)

Within the current median of Mombasa Road, Uhuru Highway, and Waiyaki Way, the Nairobi Expressway will contain a four-lane and six-lane dual carriageway, as well as ten interchanges. The stretch between the Eastern and Southern bypasses will be six lanes, while the segment from the Eastern Bypass to James Gichuru and the section from the Southern Bypass to James Gichuru will be four lanes.

The conversation around how the road will be used has already sparked a huge debate amongst Kenyans with everyone supporting their own version of events.

This article will demystify that and lay bare everything you need to know with regard to how to use the Nairobi Expressway.

The Nairobi Expressway will compel motorists to pay electronically or in cash.

There are two options for electronic payment: On-Board Unit (OBU) and Manual Toll Collection (MTC).

How to register to use the Nairobi expressway

You must physically register at the Nairobi Expressway Service Center at Cabanas on Mombasa Rd.

There are two types: ETC and MTC. For ETC, you’ll need the car’s logbook as well as identification. All you need for MTC is your ID.

This will make it easier to install the On-Board Unit (OBU), a communication device that is mounted on vehicles, or the Manual Toll Collection (MTC) card, which will be utilized at tolling stations.

It will make it easier to install the On-Board Unit (OBU), a communication device that is mounted on vehicles, or the Manual Toll Collection (MTC) card, which will be utilized at tolling stations.

The motorists will then purchase toll points, which will cost a minimum of Sh2,000 and will be valid for one year, although there is no limit to the amount that may be paid.

The toll points are loaded into the OBU device or MTC after purchase.

To top-up points, vehicles will need to visit a service centre; however, plans are in the works to allow motorists to load toll points onto their mobile phones.

Toll station entry

If there is a line for MTC users, you will be served by a toll attendant. Everything is automated for ETC users, so they don’t need an attendant for service.

Exiting the toll station

MTC users must present a receipt issued at the time of entry, and toll points will be subtracted based on the distance travelled.

ETC is, therefore, a better option for a smooth exit experience.

A section of the Nairobi expressway (courtesy)

Dos and Don’ts of the Nairobi Expressway

Motorists are not allowed to drive in the designated emergency lane unless it is an emergency.

Overloading is also prohibited, and anyone planning to drive an oversized load vehicle on the highway must submit an application three days in advance to the Expressway Plaza.

On the expressway, U-turns and reversals are prohibited, and motorists who miss their scheduled departure must go to the next toll station to exit.

Finally, MTC cardholders can use their card to drive other vehicles, whereas ETC cardholders cannot because the card is associated with the automobile after registration.

The completion of the Nairobi expressway is a welcome relief to many residents and frequenters of Nairobi, who will now enjoy shorter travel times. For sure, the SGR has been a game-changer for Kenya’s transportation system, which has for long-promised an unobstructed route to the country’s main coastal city of Mombasa.

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