East end: Bweyogerere Length 22.5 km | West end: Busega | |
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History: Designated in 2004
Expected completion in 2018 | ||
The Kampala Northern Bypass Highway, often referred to as the Northern Bypass, is a road in Uganda. It forms a semicircle across the northern suburbs of Kampala, Uganda's capital and largest city. The road was constructed to relieve traffic congestion within the city center, allowing cross-country traffic to bypass the city's downtown area.
Contents
Map of Northern Bypass, Kampala, Uganda
Location
The bypass stretches from Namboole, approximately 11 kilometres (7 mi) to the east of downtown Kampala. The highway winds through the suburbs of Naalya, Kiwaatule, Kulambiro, Kigoowa, Bukoto, Mulago, Makerere, Bwaise, Kawaala, and Namungoona, to end at Busega, approximately 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) west of the city. The highway measures approximately 22 kilometres (14 mi) in length. The coordinates of the road at its northernmost point are 00°21′56″N 32°36′18″E.
Overview
The bypass opened to traffic on 1 October 2009. Constructed between 2004 and 2009, the bypass is about 22 kilometres (14 mi) long. The project was funded by the European Union and the Uganda government.
Expansion
In August 2012, Ugandan print media reported that expansion of the bypass to dual carriageway for its entire length would begin in early 2013. Funding for the expansion is being provided by the European Investment Bank, the European Union, and the Ugandan government.
In May 2014, the Uganda National Roads Authority awarded the construction contract for the expansion to Mota-Engil, Engenharia E Construcao SA, a subsidiary of the Mota-Engil civil engineering and construction conglomerate based in Portugal. Construction was expected to start in June 2014 and last 30 months.
In October 2014, Ugandan print media reported that the construction start was postponed to the end of 2014 and would last approximately 30 months.
On 23 February 2015, the widening of the bypass was officially launched.
Construction costs are budgeted at €67.4 million. The breakdown of the funding sources is in the table below:
Points of interest
Some of the points of interest along or near the bypass include: (1) Mandela National Stadium, at Bweyogerere. (2) Mulago Hill, the highway skirts the northern borders of the hill between Bukoto and Bwaise. (3) Kampala–Bombo Road, crosses the Northern Bypass, at the northern end of Makerere University Campus.(4) Makerere University, the road passes near the northern borders of the university campus between Bwaise and Kawaala. (5) Kampala–Mityana Road, joins the highway at Busega where Kasumba Square Mall is located. (6) Entebbe–Kampala Expressway, joins the bypass highway at Busega. (7) Kampala–Masaka Road, is connected to the bypass highway by a short connector at Busega.