Addis. Traffic problems re Bole Road improvement.

Replies: 3 - Last Post: Nov 15, 2012 9:45 AM Last Post By: cameroni

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Nov 14, 2012 5:26 AM
Posts: 401

Addis. Traffic problems re Bole Road improvement.

There are currently massive road works on the Bole Rd (Africa Ave on many maps) – the main dual road from the Airport to the city centre. Three flyovers/underpasses are being built. If you have the 2012 Bradt Guide these are on the p148/9 map at Olympia (B5), Ethio China St (C3) and the south end of EU road (D3), but all along the road is being widened from 4 lanes to 6 so it is somewhat chaotic and we are all avoiding it, so traffic elsewhere in eastern Addis can be heavy.

Taxis from the airport will divert in various ways and if you are going to Piazza or city centre hotels, or those in the north like Addis Regency, Soramba, or ZGuest House you will probably be taken north on the ring road to Megananya and then in on the road past the British Embassy - see new Bradt map p126. This is a long way round but believe me it is the quickest! Obviously because of all of this taxi fares may be higher than quoted in recent posts.

All this also makes certain hotels and restaurants listed in the new Bradt hard or impossible to get to…
These would include Damu Hotel, Weygoss GH, Habesha Cultural Restaurant and Makush.

orion_mike

Nov 14, 2012 2:05 PM
Posts: 1,181

Hi Addis - two great post with real time up to date info. Anyone going to AA will certainly appreciate it.

Kali737

Nov 14, 2012 6:58 PM
Posts: 274

I was in and out of Addis three times on my recent trip and Bole Road was getting worse every time - between road works and flooding. Last time (about 10 days ago), as addisadvisor says, the only way to get to our guest house (Family Cozy) was by using the ring road.

So, if you're taking a taxi to/from the airport be sure to factor in extra time for the longer route they'll have to take.

cameroni

Nov 15, 2012 9:45 AM
Posts: 84

Right. And keep in mind the taxi trips are a little longer and some of the laneways and back roads they are using to avoid construction are rougher than the main roads. Fares are rising due to this so cutting the drivers a little slack where prices are concerned goes with the territory. Some of these rickety old Russian taxicabs are being rattled into oblivion by the diversions.

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