[PHOTO/standardmedia.co.ke]

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The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) is set to build a major highway linking Mombasa and Nairobi cities.

KeNHA has already signed with Bechtel International of San-Fransisco a deal to construct the express highway.

Finances will be drawn from export credit agencies in the US.

According to KeNHA Director General Peter Mundinia, the signing opened doors for the next stage of funds mobilization and the actual ground work will begin in 2018.

“Bechtel has been selected to build the first high-speed express way in Kenya. The new 473-kilometre route will vastly improve the connectivity, efficiency and safety of road between Nairobi and the country’s main seaport of Mombasa,” he said.

The road will have limited access customized with speeds of 120 kilometres per hour to reduce travel time between Mombasa and Nairobi from the current 10 hours to only four.

Mundinia said that this was being done chiefly to complement growth of industries including the building of three major economic zones along the road.

‘’The high-speed express way will have four lanes with provision for future increase to six lanes and 19 interchanges,’’ he said.