The Kenya National Highways Authority (Kenha) has begun the construction of the new Ksh4.5 billion Makupa bridge.
According to the authority, the new 457-metre-long Makupa bridge is intended to accommodate the old railway line as well as the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).
The authority is said to be in talks with the Kenya Railways on how to incorporate SGR in the infrastructure. The new infrastructure will replace the historic Makupa causeway that links Mombasa Island to the mainland.
The resident engineer, Stephen Gichuru, has assured the residents that no major disruptions will take place in the area.
“We do not expect any livelihoods interruptions or demolitions apart from moving the service lines,” he said.
The new bridge will have a width of 20 meters for each bridge, and an additional two-meter rail for non-motorized traffic and a pedestrian pathway.
According to Gichuru, the bridge will be made from reinforced concrete with foundation piles of up to 40-meters deep.
The construction of the bridge which was commissioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta in December 2020, is expected to last one year.
However, Kenha has urged residents to expect traffic snarl-ups in the section, as part of traffic will be diverted to the opposite lane.
In addition, 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.
“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 engineer Gichuru.
Moreover, the Makupa bridge will end aquatic life interference due to human activities which was a major concern to Marine Conservationists.
“There will be the restoration of the ecosystem in the area, including the free flow of water and marine life. This will see continuous water flow, unlike currently, where it is stagnant on that section,” said Gichuru.
In November last year, Kenha awarded China Communications Construction Company (CCCC) the contract for the construction of the two four-lane parallel bridges.
