The much-awaited Likoni floating bridge, connecting Mombasa Island to the Mainland south, in the coastal region of Kenya is set to be ready for use by December. An engineer from the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA), Mr Eric Wambua, revealed the report and said the project is 80% complete.
“We have finished the foundation and are now working on the structure above water. We should be able to see people safely and easily crossing from one side of Mombasa to the other,” said Mr Wambua.
Likoni floating bridge
The construction works of the Sh.1.7billion project are being carried out by the China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) and overseen by the KeNHA which is under the state’s ministry of transport and infrastructure. Designed for pedestrians only, the Likoni floating bridge deck will comprise a 529 m long floating section, and 54 m long approaches on either side of the floating span. It will have a discrete-continuous structural system with 35 No. double body supported boats, and 2 No. end boats with twin springboards installed to form the floating bridge deck.
The floating suspension bridge will be connected by pins and hinges and guard rails will be installed on either side of the deck to ensure pedestrian safety. The Likoni floating footbridge, which is the first of its kind in the region, is expected to complement the existing ferry services to streamline ‘safe passageways’ for pedestrians and reduce overcrowding that characterizes the busy channel and consequently lower the risk of contracting Covid-19 on the vessels that ferry more than 300,000 commuters and approximately 6, 000 vehicles every single day.
“This is an iconic bridge and it will be attractive to many. It will also pose as a site for tourism as people would want to come and see and have an experience, therefore we are assuring those coming down to the Coast all is set for the holidays,” Mr Wambua.
