Residents of Makongeni have lauded the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) for erecting a footbridge at British American Tobacco (BAT) junction along Garissa Highway.
Speaking on Wednesday, the residents noted that the place had become a blackspot and many people had either got maimed there or lost their lives.
"This is a very busy highway and crossing the road at this point is usually very risky but you find that residents headed any of the sides have to risk because they don't have any other alternative," said Brian Kinuthia, a resident.
Parents with school-going children are also delighted that there will finally be a footbridge.
"I always thank God when I see my children come home every evening well from school. Though, I always advise them to only close the road when the road clears, I know it has always been a risky affair. But now with a footbridge coming up, I can rest assured of their safety," said Beth Nyambura whose children study at the nearby Kenyatta Primary.
The lead engineer at the site says that the footbridge will minimise deaths and accidents at the road.
"The footbridge will go a long way in curbing deaths that comes as a result of people trying to close the busy highway while there are incoming vehicles. Being a junction where vehicles are coming from all sides, many pedestrians and motorists get confused and as a result the accidents occur," said Patrick Mbugua, the lead Engineer.
The construction that is still going on, Mbugua, says will complete soon.
"We just started late last year and much of the ground work has been done and we don't expect to take longer before the footbridge is up and running," he said.