Dongo Kundu marvels Kenya’s coastal region
Road transport revolution is opening up the Coast of Kenya as the multi-billion shilling Dongo Kundu by-pass shapes up road connectivity linking up Mombasa and Kwale counties in what is billed to be one of the country’s most efficient road networks.
Kenya National Highway Authority (Kenha) deputy director Samuel Ogege who is overseeing the project said that already, phase one of the project between Miritini to Kipevu has been completed with the focus now turning to the Sh22 billion second phase which involves construction of three bridges crossing above Mwache, Mteza and Tsunza creeks.
Total length of the three bridges is approximately 10km according to Ogege who says this section is expected to be ready by 2024. Mteza Bridge is the longest at 1.4 km, followed by Tsunza at 690 metres and Mwache at 660 meters.
Nearing completion
But while the first phase is complete and the third is nearing completion, Ogege says phase two is currently at 15 per cent, which he says is slightly behind schedule citing the technical nature of the works involved in that section.
“Package two has been lagging behind for various reasons one being the nature of the works involved.
It is highly technical because most of the works will be in the sea. However most of the work will be done off site before they are transferred to the site.
Already most of the materials including piling pipes have arrived …” the engineer said adding around 300 families which have settled along and in between the Mwache junction-Tsunza-Mteza section are yet to be compensated.
The third package of the project between Mteza to Kibundani interchange is currently 70 per cent complete and is expected to be open for traffic, come March 2021 according to the deputy director.
“As we speak now, the earthworks for the third package have been completed.
The remaining 30 per cent is just the auxiliary works which do not require much effort.
That can be done effortlessly,” Ogege told journalists during Kenha’s inspection tour for the project.
The package three is a Sh4 billion project co-funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) at 80 per cent and the Government of Kenya at 20 per cent.
According to Ogege the government has already released between Sh1.5 billion and Sh2 billion as compensation for displaced residents.
Once the 17.7km section linking the three packages is complete by 2024, motorists will be moving freely between Mombasa and Kwale without necessarily having to cross the Likoni ferry, something being viewed as great milestone in decongesting traffic between the two counties.
The bypass will also provide access to the upcoming Mombasa Special Economic Zone project at Dongo Kundu.
To compliment the project, the Kenha director at the same time said plans are at an advanced stage.
