EAC Roads Sector Projects

The Arusha - Namanga - Athi River Construction Project

The objective of the project is to construct a highway to boost regional trade and tourism and reduce transportation costs. The project road is 240 km long and the implementation is being carried out in two lots, one in each country (Kenya and Tanzania).

The role of EAC in this phase is to co-ordinate the activities in both countries to ensure the regional nature of the project is maintained. This includes convening of technical meetings to discuss progress and constraints and overall liaison between the countries and ADB.

Construction on the Kenyan side commenced in November 2007 and to date works are ongoing over a 30-km stretch, with traffic being diverted to a temporary deviation road. On the Tanzanian side, the contractor was given possession of site in June 2008 and works are ongoing.

Upon completion in late 2010 the road will have a uniform width of 7.0m and 2.0m wide shoulders, thus providing a safe driving environment and reducing travel time between Nairobi and Arusha (from the current 5 hours to 3 hours)

The Feasibility Studies and Detailed Design of the Arusha - Holili - Taveta Road
This is sub-component of the Arusha - Namanga - Athi River Road Development Project for which EAC received a grant from ADB for project preparation. The objective of the study is to determine the viability of rehabilitating the 140-km Arusha - Holili section and upgrading to bitumen standards the 120-km Taveta - Voi road in Kenya. Thereafter it is intended that negotiations for funding of construction would take place.

EAC is the Implementing Agency assisted by the Ministry of Roads, Kenya and TANROADS, Tanzania.
It is expected that the study will commence by June 2009.

The Feasibility Studies and Detailed Design of the Malindi - Lunga Lunga and Tanga - Bagamoyo Road
This is another sub-component of the Development Project with the objective of determining the viability of rehabilitating the 240-km long Malindi - Lunga Lunga Road and upgrading to bitumen standards the 172-km long Tanga - Bagamoyo road. The road runs along the East African coastline which has a rich tourism and agricultural (horticultural) potential

EAC is the Implementing Agency assisted by the Ministry of Roads, Kenya and TANROADS, Tanzania.
It is expected that the study will commence by August 2009.

Scoping Study on the Civil Engineering Contracting Capacity in East Africa

The objective of the study is to assess the current capacity of local contractors to undertake major development projects and determine the gaps that exist. The study will then make recommendations on steps that need to be taken to bridge the gaps with a view to having a greater involvement of local contractors in these projects.

A total of three bids were received and opened in July 2008. A short list is expected to be prepared by October 2008, upon evaluation of the EOIs.

Audit Consulting Services for the Arusha - Namanga - Athi River Road Development Project
Audit of the Development Project will be carried out by an external consulting firm and will involve financial, technical and management audits. Apart from auditing the Special Account maintained by EAC, the consultants will audit the systems within EAC, MOR and TANROADS and propose improvements that would enhance efficiency of project management.

A total of ten bids were opened in July 2008. A short list is expected to be prepared by October 2008, upon evaluation of the EOIs.

A Study on the East African Transport Strategy and Regional Road Sector Development Programme
Under the East African Trade and Transport Facilitation Project (EATTFP), EAC received a grant from ADB for the regional components of the project under Customs, Trade and Infrastructure. The objective of the EAC Transport Strategy is to identify regional strategic priorities and resources for transport sector development and operational needs for the medium term in line with EAC development goals. The strategy will be the EAC key planning document guiding the regional policies and investments in the transport sector and roads sub-sector in particular for 2008 – 2018.

Technical proposals were evaluated in August 2008 and the report forwarded to ADB for a no objection. It is expected that the study will commence in May 2009.

A Study on the East African Transport Facilitation Project
This is also a sub-component of the EATTFP. The objective of the study is to implement the provisions of the Tripartite Agreement on Road transport, in particular to propose a framework for the harmonization of standards, policies and regulations in the road transport sub-sector.

Advertisements for expressions of interest were placed in the local newspapers, the EAC website and the United Nations Development Business between March and June 2008 and the bids were submitted on 30th July 2008. It is expected that the study will commence in September 2009.

The East African Road Network Project
The project objective is to improve the efficiency of the regional road corridors by rehabilitating failed sections and upgrading gravel roads to bitumen standards. There are about 94 road links over five transit corridors that are under various stages of development. EAC plays a co-ordination role in monitoring and evaluating the progress of implementation of sub-projects.

The Task Force on the EARNP has been meeting regularly to update the project parameters and present status of implementation of national and multinational projects. Projects for Rwanda and Burundi were officially included into the EARNP in May 2008 by the Council of Ministers.

A meeting of EAC, Partner States and development partners is scheduled for 2009, upon completion of the study on Regional Road Sector Development Programme.