Gov't considers viaduct, road realignment to eliminate Nithi Bridge blackspot

Since its commissioning in 1985, the bridge has claimed countless lives, earning a grim reputation as one of the most dangerous spots on Kenyan roads. 

In a bid to end the tragic accidents that have plagued this vital route, the government has announced plans to redesign and reconstruct the bridge.

The Nithi Bridge has become synonymous with tragedy, with numerous fatal accidents occurring on its treacherous curves. 

As drivers approach the bridge, the once-straight road suddenly twists into a series of sharp, winding corners that descend steeply into a ravine. 

Poor visibility, coupled with the lack of proper signage and barriers, only adds to the peril faced by motorists.

Over the years, the bridge has been the site of several horrific accidents. 

In January 1998, 56 people lost their lives when a Stage Coach bus plunged into the river below. In August 2000, another 45 people perished in a bus crash. 

More recently, in July 2022, a Modern Coast bus rolled down the Nithi Bridge, killing 34 passengers. 

This year alone, multiple accidents have occurred, including one in April that claimed four lives and another in September that left 12 dead.

In response to the mounting death toll, the government initiated the process of redesigning the bridge in February 2024. 

Speaking in Meru County after 12 people were killed in a crash involving a van and a pickup truck at the bridge, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua reaffirmed the government's commitment to the project.

"I called the PS when I walked outside to get an update on the pledge we made. He has told me the designs are almost complete, and I have asked him to speed up the process," Gachagua stated.

According to a status report shared by PS Roads and Transport Engineer Joseph Mbugua, the government, through the Kenya National Highways Authority, is considering two options for the redesign of the Nithi Bridge.

The first option involves the construction of a viaduct to eliminate the sharp horizontal curves and steep gradients. 

This would require building a new dual carriageway bridge with approach viaducts on either side. 

The project is estimated to cost approximately 50 billion Kenya shillings and would take up to four years to complete.

The second option is the improvement of the existing road alignment. This more cost-effective approach, estimated at 5 billion Kenya shillings, would take two years to complete. 

It involves upgrading the gravel course to bitumen, smoothing horizontal curves, and improving junctions connecting with the tarmacked Makutano-Embu-Meru Road.

While the planned redesign of the Nithi Bridge offers hope for a safer passage, concerns remain over funding for the project, leaving the future of these safety improvements uncertain. 

The government’s resolve to address this critical issue will be closely watched by a public eager to see an end to the tragic legacy of the Nithi Bridge.