CC image courtesy of Dave Fergusson
The Kenyan government has contracted weighbridge specialists SGS on its plan to construct new facilities and operations for the country’s eight weighbridges.
The project is expected to cost around US$9.4 million, with costs including the setting up of high speed weigh-in-motion areas such as Mariakani and Namanga in efforts to improve traffic flow.
“The new facilities will be ready by end of July. The weighbridges are ultra-modern and fitted with the latest technology. Traffic jams at these facilities will be a thing of the past,” said Albert Stockell, SGS country managing director.
The Mariakani priority is due to the heavy congestion and its proximity to the Mombasa port.
Michael Kamau, Kenya’s transport secretary, said: “These funds are aimed constructing modern weighbridges and generally improving efficiency along the Northern Corridor which is critical to regional trade.”
According to the plan, the new weighbridges will ensure faster clearance as they will be operating at a maximum speed of 80km per hour, which is four times the current ones which do 20km per hour.
“We are looking at a facility capable of weighing the load without trucks stopping,” Kamau said.
