Construction of phase three Dongo Kundu bypass is set to be completed in March 2021. Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) deputy director Samuel Ogege made the announcement and said that its completion will facilitate the putting up of the Likoni Special Economic Zone.
The bypass project which started in July 2016 is expected to decongest the Mombasa-Nairobi highway. The project runs from Mombasa Port’s second container terminal and links the highway at Bonje, near Mazeras. Phase one of the project was done by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation at a cost of Sh 12bn from July 2016 to June 2018. Kenya acquired financing of the bypass through loan from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) in 2014 with repayment option of up to 30 years at an interest rate of 1.2%.
Phase 3 works
Phase two and three of the project involve construction of an interchange at the Likoni-Lunga Lunga highway and installation of two bridges: one at Mwache – spanning 900 metres, and a second at Mteza spanning 1.4km. The bypass will connect the main corridors; the Nairobi-Mombasa, Mombasa-Malindi and Mombasa-Lunga Lunga highways.
The seven-kilometre road between Mteza and Kibundani, linking the highway with the Likoni-Lunga Lunga Road, is currently 70% done and it will connect with Dongo Kundu Phase 2 in Mwache to Miritini. According to Mr Samuel Ogege, the two phases will be an alternative route to connect South Coast from Mombasa mainland without using Likoni ferry channel. The Nation has established that the government has released the remaining Sh 237 m which is meant to complete compensation to hundreds of those affected by the Dongo Kundu Phase 3 project.
“The Mombasa Port area project will serve the special economic zone and it will relieve tourists who get delayed at the Likoni channel. Once the channel is complete, it will connect directly to Miritini Standard Gauge Railway Station and Moi International Airport, Mombasa, thus opening up Mombasa and Kwale,” said Mr Ogege.
