KeNHA Closes Section of Historic Mombasa Bridge After Emergency

  • By Michael Musyoka on 16 March 2021 - 3:46 pm
    Motorists stuck in a traffic jam at Kibarani on the Makupa Causeway.
    Motorists stuck in a traffic jam at Kibarani on the Makupa Causeway.

  • The Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA) has closed a section of the Makupa Causeway bridge which connects Mombasa Island to the Kenyan mainland.

    In a notice issued on Tuesday, March 16, the authority stated that the Changamwe bound direction from Mombasa Island would be closed to motorists between March 16, and Wednesday, March 17.

    The closure was as a result of repair works from an undisclosed emergency situation.

    "All traffic shall be diverted to the Mombasa island-bound traffic carriageway to allow the necessary repair works.

    "We request motorists to exercise caution around the work areas and to comply with the proposed traffic management plan and directions given by traffic marshals," KeNHA added.

    Traffic jam along Makupa causeway in Mombasa.
    Traffic along Makupa causeway in Mombasa in 2020.
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    The historic bridge is set to be demolished as the government moves to construct a new dual carriage bridge at a cost of Ksh4.5 billion.

    The 120 meters Makupa causeway structure between Tudor and Port Reitz creeks was built in the 1920’s by the British colonial government.

    Part of the reason for its planned demolition is because it has reportedly been interfering with the natural oceanic waves, the free flow of oxygen in the water and it has also been a cause of damage to fish breeding grounds and causing pollution.

    President Uhuru Kenyatta commissioned the construction of Makupa dual carriage bridge in December 2020.

    When complete in January 2022, the four-lane bridge would 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.

    The new 450-metre long Makupa Bridge is expected to offer a seamless flow of traffic in and out of Mombasa Island.

    It will take up most of the foot traffic by linking Liwatoni on Mombasa Island with Ras Bofu in Likoni mainland.

    The Makupa Causeway is one of the three road links between the island and mainland, the others being Nyali bridge and Kipevu Causeway.

    The ongoing construction at he Makupa Casueway
    The ongoing construction at the Makupa Causeway