State to construct bridge across Likoni channel

Eng. John Mosonik, Principle Secretary (Ps) Ministry of Infrastructure address a press conference at a Nairobi Hotel during Engineers Consultative meeting held in Nairobi Today. PHOTO: DAVID NJAAGA

The Government has announced construction of a bridge across Likoni Ferry channel to ease transport to South Coast.

Principal Secretary, Infrastructure Development, Eng John Mosonik said to provide a more reliable link to South Coast, plans have commenced for the construction of the Likoni bridge to replace the ferry.

The Likoni Ferry, serviced by the Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) has come under constant criticism over inefficiency particularly from tourism players who have had to grapple with long queues due to delays and ageing equipment.

Eng Mosonik (pictured) said the government plans to develop a ring of roads and bypasses around Mombasa to decongest the city. He said designs are underway for the proposed Mombasa Northern Bypass linking Mazeras to the Mombasa—Malindi road in North Coast.

Other initiatives currently underway include a second Nyali Bridge under Public-Private Partnership arrangements.

He added that the ministry is implementing one of the flagship projects under Vision 2030 – Mombasa Bypass project linking the West mainland to the proposed port at Dongo Kundu.

“The project will play a pivotal role in development of untapped tourism potential in the South Coast,” he said. The Government received Sh25 billion loan from the Japan International Cooperation (JICA) for this project. The project will be implemented in three work packages.

Severe traffic

The first package is the —Miritini to Kipevu Link Road while the second package is the Mwache to Dongo Kundu, including construction of long –span bridges over the sea while package three involves the Dongo Kundu to Kibundani.

He said tenders for work under package one have been evaluated and will soon be awarded with construction works expected to commence in early 2015, with a completion period of 30 months.

“Packages two and three will be rolled out in 2015, and projected to be completed by 2018 and 2017, respectively,” he said. Eng Mosonik said through the support of the African Development Bank, the Department of Infrastructure has completed detailed designs and tender documentation for dualling the Changamwe roundabout – Jomvu- Miritini Highway in order to address the severe traffic congestion experienced on the highway.

He said financing for the project is being sought. The PS said the design for upgrading and strengthening of the Malindi-Mombasa—Lungalunga road  is at advanced stages, and will be implemented as a regional project under sponsorship from the East African Community.

Already two key border post facilities to enhance trade between the Coastal region and Northern Tanzania have been completed. He said that already regionally, the Mwatate –Taveta road (90 km) is ongoing , Kaloleni –Kilifi road (30 km) is also ongoing while the Maji Ya Chumvi- Bachuma Gate, which is 55 km work has commenced.

And after more than five decades, Lamu residents can breath easy following plans by the government to upgrade the Garsen-Nyongoro – Lamu road to bitumen standards under the Roads 10,000 programme. The project is at tendering stage and is expected to be complete in two years’ time.