In November 2016, the upgrade of the road to grade II bitumen standard, with culverts, shoulders and drainage channels began. The work was contracted to
China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC) and
China Railway Group 3 Construction Company. The construction bill totaled USh646.8 billion (approx. US$175 million), funded by the
government of Uganda and other development partners. The work on the Soroti–Katakwi–Moroto section was completed in late 2019. Official handover to the Ugandan government is expected in 2020. As of January 2020, the road had been fully tarmacked from Soroti to Moroto, and was open to the public. The Moroto–Lokitanyala section is expected to be tarmacked during the 2020/2021 financial year that begins in July 2020. ==See also==