Mombasa Multi-Billion Road Projects Restoring Lost Glory [PHOTOS]

Port Reitz and Moi International Airport Access Road
Port Reitz and Moi International Airport Access Road in Mombasa
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KENHA

Over the past couple of years, mega infrastructure developments have been taking shape in Mombasa County geared towards enhancing its image as the gateway to East and Central Africa and as the tourism capital of the region.

Prior to the multi-billion road projects, the county which is known as a hub for shipping activities, experienced setbacks in terms of traffic flow of cargo, in and out of the port of Mombasa.

The construction of the new roads and upgrading of the existing ones has helped reduce travel time, improve connectivity as well as improve socio-economic activities in the coastal counties of Mombasa, Kwale and Kilifi.

New Mombasa Port.
New Mombasa Port.
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Mombasa Southern Bypass - Dongo Kundu (Miritini - Mwache) 

The 8.96 km dual carriageway project, was budgeted to cost Ksh25 billion and involved major road works including the construction of an interchange at the Likoni-Lunga Lunga highway.

Phase one of the project costing Ksh11 billion was completed and opened at an event that was presided over by President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2018.

The project was designed to ease traffic pressure on the Likoni Ferry and decongest Mombasa Island. 

The Dongo Kundu Bypass in Mombasa
The Dongo Kundu Bypass in Mombasa
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Phase two of the project involves the erection of two bridges: one at Mwache - spanning 660 metres, and another at Mteza straddling 1,440 metres.

The Kenya Ports Authority is also set to establish a Special Economic Zone at Dongo Kundu which will coincide with the construction of phase three Dongo Kundu road expected to be completed by March 2021.

A section o phase one of the Dongo-Kundu Bypass
A section o phase one of the Dongo-Kundu Bypass
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Port Reitz/Moi International Airport Access Road

The Port Reitz-Moi Airport road project was jointly funded by the British government through Trade Mark East Africa and the national government to the tune of Ksh5.2 billion.

Since its construction, the access road has enhanced access, efficiency, and reduced congestion, as well as reducing operating costs and improved the turnaround time at the Port of Mombasa.

A section of the Port Reitz and Moi International Airport Access road in Mombasa
A section of the Port Reitz and Moi International Airport Access road in Mombasa

Construction of the road entailed the expansion of the road to a dual carriageway in order to improve the existing Port Reitz and Moi International Airport access roads covering 6.4km.

Additional works undertaken entailed the installation of road drainage facilities and sidewalks along Port Reitz road and Moi Airport access roads.

Port Reitz and Moi International Airport Access Road
Port Reitz and Moi International Airport Access Road
KeNHA

Magongo-Jomvu-Miritini Road

The Magongo-Jomvu-Miritini road construction was planned to allow passengers easy access to the standard gauge railway (SGR) passenger train terminus in Mombasa.

"The 2.7km road plan aims to provide a reliable link and safe access to Mombasa SGR terminus. The social impact studies entail the relocation of utilities and implementation of resettlement action plans to enable works on the project to proceed," the director of highway planning and design, Samuel Omer stated in February 2020.

Other road projects that are currently ongoing include the construction of Bitumen Standards of Old Nairobi Road - Jomvi Kuu -Mazeras at a cost of Ksh1.1 billion.

The government portal indicated that the contractor had resumed works with the construction of two box culverts.

Also in progress is the Mombasa-Mariakani Road Lot 1: Mombasa-Kwa Jomvu which is getting a facelift to a tune of Ksh8.5 Billion. The project is 78 percent complete.

Ongoing construction along the Mombasa, Mariakani road.
Ongoing construction along the Mombasa, Mariakani road.
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Also in progress is the Dualling of Magongo Road. Phase II (Ksh2.4 Billion) which is currently at 68 percent.

Proposed projects that are yet to commence include the GR Link Road (Jomvu-Mkupe Jetty) (2.7Km) KSh 410M, the Mombasa Southern bypass Package 3: Construction of Mteza - Kibundani Section  (6.86Km) KSh 4.1 Billion.

Planned projects are the Construction of Mombasa Northern Bypass (Dual Carriageway bypass from Mtwapa to Miritini and Bamburi Link road to the Bypass) for KSh 30 Billion and the Mombasa Southern bypass Package 2: Construction of Mwache - Tsunza - Mteza Section ( 8.96Km ) KSh 24.2 Billion.

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