The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) is set to divert traffic on the Makupa causeway in Mombasa to pave way for the new 457-metre Makupa bridge project works.
The agency in a statement announced the that the island-bound carriage on the causeway shall be closed off effective July 10, 2021, and all affected traffic will be diverted to the Nairobi-bound carriageway, which will then serve as the way in and out of Mombasa until works are completed.
Residents of Changamwe, Magongo, Miritini, Mazeras and Jomvu and motorists entering and leaving Mombasa will be the most affected, as the bridge connects the Changamwe roundabout to the island through Kibarani.
Also Read:Construction of US $42m new Makupa Bridge in Mombasa, Kenya begins
End of interference with aquatic life
Construction of the bridge, was commissioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta in December 2020. China Communications Construction Company won the contract for the work. The new bridge will have a width of 20m for each bridge, and an additional two-metre rail for non-motorized traffic and a pedestrian pathway.
The two four-lane parallel bridges will be made from reinforced concrete with foundation pillars of up to 40-metres deep. The project set to cost US $42bn is expected to end interference with aquatic life, something that has been a concern to marine experts.
The 1929 colonial Makupa Causeway has reportedly been interfering with the natural oceanic waves, the free flow of aqueous oxygen and it has also been a cause of damage to fish breeding grounds, besides bring about pollution.
The new bridge is also intended to accommodate the old railway line and Kenha is said to be in talks with Kenya Railways on how to incorporate the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in the infrastructure as well.
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