In an effort to decongest the Likoni Ferry and Mombasa, the government has stated that the construction of the Dongo Kundu bypass is at its advanced stages of completion. The project will run two kilometers west of Moi International Airport in Mombasa and connect the Likoni-Diani and the Mombasa-Nairobi highways. The Dongo Kundu bypass is set for completion in 2018.
The multibillion project measures about 17.5 km from Miritini at the mainland to Ng’ombeni to the south mainland. Phase one of the construction will be of a 10-km stretch from Miritini to Kipevu, linking the port to the Mombasa-Nairobi highway. The second phase will be from Mache to Dongo Kundu, a stretch that will have long-span bridges. The third phase will begin at Dongo Kundu to Kibundani and join Likoni-Lunga Lunga road.
The first phase of construction is the Miritini to Kipevu section, budgeted at Ksh11 billion, borrowed from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The construction contract was awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation. In 2012, Japan International Cooperation Agency funded the project with a KES29 billion grant.
The expansion project will also feature a free trade zone (FTZ). The FTZ project will be established on a site of between 300-500 acres of land that is available to investors. The economic zone will host wholesale and retail trading, breaking bulk, re-packaging logistics, warehousing and handling, and storage of goods among others.
Another solution to the perennial traffic jams is the proposed construction of the Changamwe by-pass that will link the western part of Mombasa and the North Coast. The 6 billion shillings project is seen as the key to unlocking traffic snarl ups that have characterized the stretch. The expansion is expected to coincide with the construction of berths at the new port of Mombasa to enhance efficient cargo transfer to the Northern corridor. China Wu Yi and Howard Humphreys’ East Africa are the project contractors while Kenya National Highway Authority is the implementing agency.
