The SGR is the biggest infrastructure project in Kenya since independence. It will shorten the passenger travel time from Mombasa to Nairobi from more than 10 hours to about four hours while freight trains will complete the 609km journey in less than eight hours.
ORDINARY TRAINS
The new railway line constitutes the first phase that is between Mombasa and Nairobi, but aims to connect Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and South Sudan in subsequent phases. Although the project that begun in 2013 was initially scheduled to be completed in 2018, the government has said it will be ready this year.
The SGR, which will complement the slower, narrow gauge network operated by Rift Valley Railways, was budgeted to cost Sh372 billion but this could escalate to Sh447.5 billion.
The main contractor is China Road and Bridge Corporation with 90 per cent of the financing coming from the Exim Bank of China and 10 per cent from the Kenyan government.
Until now, it is estimated that more than 25,000 Kenyans have been hired to work on the railway as labourers or permanent staff for various tasks while the project is expected to open up the Southern Corridor for major economic investments.
Upon completion, the railway whose design capacity is 22 million tons per year, will be operated for five years by the Chinese company.
Passenger services will run from Changamwe in Mombasa West to Nairobi South in Syokimau where passengers can transfer to ordinary trains to the city.
Freight train services will operate from the Port of Mombasa to an inland container depot at Embakasi in Nairobi.
