A
Japanese consortium, Fujita Corporation-Mitsubishi Corporation, is set to
embark on the much-awaited construction of phase two of the Dongo Kundu Bypass
in Mombasa – months after the project received a green light from the office of
the Attorney General.
The
8.96-km dual carriageway project, expected to cost Sh25 billion, involves
construction of an interchange at the Likoni-Lunga Lunga highway and erection
of two bridges: one at Mwache – spanning 660 metres, and another at Mteza
straddling 1,440 metres.
“The
Mteza Bridge is seven times longer than Nyali (bridge) and it will reduce costs
and time used to cross over to and from South Coast. It will also serve the
Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone,” KeNHA director- general Peter Mundinia said
in an earlier interview.
Mwache
Bridge is designed to land on the Tsunza peninsula in Kwale County where it
will connect with the Mteza Bridge – which will complete the South Coast
mainland connection.
Phase two
of the Dongo Kundu Bypass project was scheduled to begin in August but there
were delays in obtaining clearance from the AG’s office.
Fujita,
which has already deployed heavy machinery at the Mteza, Tsunza, and Miritini
sites, is expected to complete the project in 48 months.
The launch of phase two of Dongo Kundu Bypass
follows last year’s completion and opening of phase one of the project, in an
event that was presided over by President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Construction
of the segment began in July 2016 and was completed in June 2018 at a cost of
Sh11 billion. The project was undertaken by China Civil Engineering
Construction Corp.
In November
2014, Kenya signed a Sh25 billion-loan agreement with the Japan International
Cooperation Agency (Jica) to finance the construction of the Dongo Kundu
Bypass.
The
Kenyan government is expected to pay back the debt in 30 years at an interest
rate of 1.2%, after a grace period of ten years – which is scheduled to expire
in 2024.
Dongo Kundu Bypass, also known as Mombasa Southern Bypass, is seen as the solution to congestion at Likoni Ferry, which is blamed for the slow growth of the south coast region.https://www.constructionkenya.com/5372/dongo-kundu-bypass-project/
