The study aimed at analyzing community participation in urban road infrastructure developmentrnprojects. To this end, the study employed mixed approach. Survey questionnaire wasrnadministered for 385 sample respondents that were selected using multistage cluster sampling.rnKey informant interview schedules were used to collect data concerning poor communityrnparticipation and road infrastructure development in the City with purposively selectedrninformants . Findings reveal that community participation is implemented in the town to fill thernfinancial gaps of projects. The community is not participating in the entire project cycle.rnParticipation in policy formulation, planning, implementation, maintenance and operation, andrnevaluation are not evident; and thus obstacle for substantive community participation. The studyrnalso found that there is poor communication and relationships among the municipality, kebelernleaders thatrnmanage the project and the community. I.e. community participation is notrninstitutionalized for permanent impact; this problem has affected the possibility for fosteringrninstitutionalized community participation in the City and hampered the synergy of the growingrntrend of participation in the development of the City. The study concludes that bottomâ€“uprnapproaches, building effective communication channel between the community, kebele leadersrnthat manage the project and institutionalization of the growing trends of participation in the Cityrnis essential. Therefore, more capacity building strategies are required to promote communityrnparticipation