Construction of the new Makupa Bridge is has begun. Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) confirmed the report and warned residents to expect delays on the section, as part of traffic will be diverted to the opposite lane, to accommodate construction of the bridge.
The bridge project was commissioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta last year. It is set to replace the historic Makupa causeway that links Mombasa Island to the mainland. The 120 meters Makupa causeway structure between Tudor and Port Reitz creeks was built in the 1920’s by the British colonial government and it has reportedly been interfering with the natural oceanic waves, the free flow of aqueous oxygen and it has also been a cause of damage to fish breeding grounds, besides bring about pollution.
The new bridge will 450m long. The project contract was signed between China Communications Construction Company Limited (CCCC) and KeNHA. The proposed four-lane over-sea bridge bridge, similar to the one in Mbita, Homa Bay County where fishermen and the local community have reported increased fish, will bring into an end the aquatic life interference by the Makupa causeway a thing that has been a concern to marine experts.
Incorporating SGR
The causeway currently separates the waters that surround Mombasa Island into Tudor Creek to the East and Port Reitz Creek to the west, hindering the free movement of water and marine life and decaying ecosystem. The new bridge also intended to accommodate the old railway line. KeNHA talked with the Kenya Railways on how to incorporate the standard gauge railway in the infrastructure as well.
Kenha said it plans to divert traffic from the lower lane that leads motorists into the port city, to an alternative route to give sufficient space for the contractor. According to Kenha Coast deputy director Howard M’mayi, traffic will be moved to the outbound mainland and create an alternative route to ease traffic as works start.
“As we start the works, we will close the island-bound road for at least one year. We are going to close the lower inbound road to Mombasa. The disruption will start in about two to three weeks, throughout the entire construction period,” said M’mayi.
