UGANDA, Kampala | Real Muloodi News | The government has launched plans to construct the Kampala Outer Ring Road Project, also known as the Kampala Outer Beltway, to tackle congestion in the country’s capital city.
Once completed, the Kampala Outer Ring Road Project will start around Ggaba and will entirely encircle Kampala, stretching from Bukeerere in Mukono District/ Seeta, Namugongo, Kira, Kasangati, Matugga, Wakiso, Buloba, and Nsangi, linking with the proposed Kampala-Jinja, Kampala-Entebbe, and Kampala-Mpigi express ways.
The primary objective of the project is to ease congestion in Kampala, and on the streets and highways that lead to and from it.
The project is expected to cover a distance of about 100 kilometres and is aimed at reducing traffic jams on the main roads entering the city centre.
The need for the project arises from the fact that urban congestion is increasing in Kampala at an estimated rate of 4.5% annually with increased motorisation.
As a result, Kampala is facing heavy traffic jams, especially during peak hours, and the current road infrastructure can no longer accommodate current traffic.
Additionally, according to the National Population and Housing Census Report 2014, Kampala is projected to become a mega-city of more than 10 million by 2030, and the city’s regular traffic must be reduced to accommodate this population growth.
The government has contracted Prome Consultants, a local consultancy firm, and Egis International, a French consultancy firm, to undertake the feasibility study which will cost $2 million. The project is set to be started in early December.
The Uganda National Roads Authority (UNRA) publicist, Dan Alinange, confirmed that the main goal of UNRA is to distribute traffic, especially on Jinja and Entebbe Roads when entering the city.
He added that the objective of the project is to ensure that commuters from Jinja to Ggaba can connect straight to their destination without coming to the city centre.
UNRA has announced tenders for a feasibility study and the design plan for the 100km road. The consultancy firm, which will carry out a feasibility study of upgrading the selected route to an express highway, including consideration of alternative routes and pavement design options, will be contacted by September.
The firm will also look at the environmental and social impact study, road safety assessments, land acquisition, and economic and financial analysis.
The project is expected to reduce the time spent in traffic by commuters, thereby increasing productivity and reducing transportation costs.
Additionally, it will lead to improved road safety and ease the pressure on the city’s current infrastructure.
The government is looking forward to fully funding the project and considering local contractors on the same.
Mr Patrick Muleme, the Head of Designs at UNRA, added that the government had already allocated funds for the project and the local engineering group would ensure that the project is launched and finished within the set timeframe.
The government also pledged to pump more funds towards improving the transport sector.
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