奇速英语

蒙内铁路投入运营

East Africa is now more accessible than ever. After two years of construction, Kenya's largest infrastructure project since independence, a $3.8 billion Chinese-built high speed railway, is up and running.
It's around 300 miles long, connecting the port city of Mombasa to the capital of Nairobi. Built by China Road and Bridge Corporation and 90 percent financed by China EXIM Bank. It is the largest infrastructure project since independence in 1963.
Nairobi is not the end of the line. The railway is planned to eventually go through western Kenya and connect six other East African countries, opening up the region's markets and trade, which for now is relying on road transport. "It's a big game changer," said Aly Khan Satchu, a financial analyst based in Nairobi, adding that it could provide new manufacturing and export potential for Kenya. "You can build your factories, you can put your goods on the railway, you can export it to Mombasa."
The project has not been without problems. Just days before the railway was damaged by vandals, knocking off posts. President Kenyatta warned that he would punish the vandals. The price tag also raised eyebrows, amounting to roughly twice as expensive per kilometer as the Djibouti- Ethiopian train, also built by the Chinese.
Wildlife has also been a major issue. Constructing a project of such magnitude has tested Kenya's ability to balance development within its world-renowned wildlife habitats. The Madaraka Express train runs through two national parks, including Tsavo National Park, where the government and tour operators plan to use it as a tourism booster in a major elephant habitat. Wildlife groups have protested the project for years saying it will affect the wildlife migrations and behavior. In response, designers have added wildlife corridors, and raised sections of the line to allow for animal movement.