Construction of the Kampala Flyover project is set to begin in January next year, according to the details of the contract signed on Monday. This will be the first flyover within the Kampala Central Business District.
Government on Monday signed a contract with Shimizu – Konoike JK, the firm that was contracted to do Lot 1 of the construction work. The entire project was divided into two Lots: 1 and 2.
Lot 1 will cost government Shs 300 billion and according to the contract, the civil works will begin in January 2019.
The project was financed using a loan by the Japanese International Corporation Agency (JICA).
The signing ceremony at the UNRA headquarters in Nakawa was witnessed by the UNRA Executive Director, Allen Kagina and the State Minister for Works, Gen Katumba Wamala.
Shimizu – Konoike has been given three months until January to mobilize equipment and the other resources required for the works.
Lot 1 of the Kampala Flyover project which is half a kilometre in length covers Clock Tower, Shoprite and Nsambya road junctions. Other components of Lot 1 will entail upgrading of the already existing infrastructure – widening of the 0.5km long Queensway, improvement of the Entebbe road (0.2km) and widening of Nsambya road (0.4km).
New pedestrian bridges will also be established at Clock Tower, Shoprite and Kibuli while the junctions at Shoprite and Clock Tower will also be upgraded.
Government says that the flyover and the other developments around the mega project will alleviate traffic congestion within the Kampala CBD and Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA).
Implementation will be jointly done with KCCA and that adequate traffic management measures will be put in place to avoid major traffic disruption.
According to UNRA, up to 65% of the land required for the construction has been acquired and that by the end of 2018, acquisition is projected to be at 80%.
The timeline for Lot 2 of the project places the procurement for the contractor in 2019 after JICA has approved additional financing. The project requires additional loan due to increase in scope of works.
Lot 2 will cover the Kitgum House area at the Jinja Road junction with a flyover stretching 2.9kms.
This lot will also see the Mukwano Road, Jinja Road, Yusuf Lule Rd, Nile Avenue and Access roads widened. The feasibility study has already be prepared.
