In the past nine months, the Ethiopian Roads Authority (ERA) has completed the construction of six projects with a cost of Br5.3 billion.

The construction of the Dansha to Abdurafi road, an alternative road to Harar, the Zarema Maytsbri Sugar Road Project, Sawla-Tako, Belta-Ottlo and Ottolo-Sawla has enabled the Authority to raise the road networks by 13,356km to 123,770km.

Government has also noted 32 road projects in the pipeline that are under construction. They are expected to be completed before the current budget year concludes. The road upgrades include a one-stop border post connecting Ethiopia and Kenya, and will commence service within the coming two months period, according to the ERA.

While the construction of the Ethiopian segment is now close to completion at 98%, Kenya has already completed construction of its border post.

“The one stop border post, under construction along the border between Ethiopia and Kenya in Moyale area is built together with the Hawassa-Moyale road project in Ethiopia,”‘ said Samson Wondimu, communication director, ERA on Friday.

Extended African corridors

Part of the Ethiopia to Kenya (Mombassa-Nairobi-Addis Ababa) road corridor, the 502 km Hawassa-Moyale road project, is a Br5.6 billion project under construction in 6 phases by Chinese, Indian and Egypt construction companies. The project is expected to be fully operational in two years time, said Wondimu.

The one-stop border post together with 100km Mega-Moyale road project is under construction by an Indian construction company, according to Wondimu.

The Mombassa-Nairobi-Addis Ababa road corridor is an important segment of the Trans-African Highway corridor from Cairo to Cape Town.

Once completed, the road corridor would help reduce transport and shipping costs of goods between the two neighboring east African countries. It is also expected to foster the people to people relations between Ethiopia and Kenya.