Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) has put in place an elaborate programme to improve road infrastructure to enhance traffic flow around the port of Mombasa.

Mega infrastructure developments are taking shape in Mombasa that are set to enhance its image as the gateway to East and Central Africa and as a tourism hub.

The ongoing construction and upgrade of infrastructural projects worth billions of shillings were aimed at facilitating transportation of goods and passengers and boost the economy of the coastal city.

In the past, Mombasa, which is a hub for shipping activities, suffered from serious traffic bottlenecks which hindered the flow of cargo in and out of the port of Mombasa.

KeNHA’s coast regional director Eng. Jared Makori says a number of projects to expand the capacity of existing roads and upgrades would significantly ease traffic for all commuters going in and out of Mombasa Island.

“The upgrades will significantly ease traffic thereby reducing travel time and improving productivity,” he said.

The huge road projects completed include the expansion of the Sh6 billion airport-Port Reitz, Magongo and Mombasa-Miritini roads into dual carriageways, interchanges and overpasses.

Eng. Makori said other road projects taking shape included the dual carriageway of the Mombasa-Mariakani Highway, Dongo-Kundu Bypass and Mombasa Northern Bypass which were set to increase Mombasa port efficiency.

He noted that the construction of the new roads and upgrading of the existing ones would help reduce travel time, improve connectivity as well as improve socio-economic activities in the coastal counties of Mombasa, Kwale and Kilifi.

He said construction of the six-lane Mombasa-Mariakani road at a cost of Sh22 billion had begun with funding from the European Investment Bank, Africa Development Bank and the national government.

The 18km long Dongo-Kundu Bypass Highway also known as Mombasa Southern Bypass seeks to connect Mombasa West Mainland with Mombasa South mainland and forms part of a three-phase plan to decongest Mombasa and open up south coast for business and tourism.

The Port Reitz-Moi Airport road project is jointly funded by the British government through Trade Mark East Africa and the national government to the tune of Sh5.2 billion.

Work on the Shs2.7 billion Changamwe-Magongo road project has been completed and has paved the way for heavy trucks accessing Kenya Oil Refinery and Kenya Pipeline and acting as thoroughfare for commercial trucks leaving the port of Mombasa.

The Changamwe-Magongo road project being handled byKeNHA and Chinese company China Wu Yi forms a key link between the port of Mombasa and the Moi International Airport.

It consists of a reinforced concrete, dual carriageway flyover and two-lane road and provides the necessary connection to the newly constructed second container terminal at the Mombasa port.

Motorists and residents in various parts of the coastal city are getting used to detours and inconveniences as contractors work round the clock to finish ongoing works that include additional lanes and building bridges.

“Major upgrades to the Moi International Airport, Changamwe-Magongo road and the construction of the Dongo-Kundu highway bypass will slash travel times so people will be spending less time stuck in traffic,” said Eng. Makori in an interview.

He said apart from decongesting Mombasa city, the major road works would also facilitate the growth of the tourism sector in the region.

“The major upgrades will relieve congestion on existing infrastructure and unlock the economic opportunities in the region by helping spur businesses,” he said at the Mombasa International trade fair at Mkomani showground.

Source Kenya News

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