Major works are underway at Makupa Bridge. Stephen Gichuru, the resident engineer confirmed the report and said that the project contractors, China Communications and Construction Co. Ltd., has mobilized machinery into the site as the project gets underway.
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 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.
“The bridge will pave the way for the demolition of Makupa Causeway and restoration of the ecosystem in the area, including the free flow of water and marine life. This will see a continuous water flow, unlike now, where it is stagnant on that section,” said Mr Gichuru.
The engineer has also warned Mombasa residents to brace themselves for traffic disruption as vehicles will be re-routed from the lower lane that leads into the city to create ample space for construction activities.
“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,” Gichuru warned.
