Kenya has announced the start of construction of phases 2 and 3 of the US $297m Dongo Kundu bypass next month following clearance from the Attorney General. The Kenya National Highways Authority director-general, Peter Mundinia said that the project also known as the Southern Bypass aims at easing traffic at Likoni Ferry and de-congesting the port and town.
The launch of Dongo Kundu Bypass Phases 2 and 3 also followed the recent completion and official opening of Phase 1 of the project by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation. Phases 2 and 3 of the project will involve construction of an interchange at the Likoni-Lunga Lunga highway and installation of two bridges: one at Mwache – spanning 900 m, and a second at Mteza spanning 1.4 km.
The bypass will connect the main corridors; the Nairobi-Mombasa, Mombasa-Malindi and Mombasa-Lunga Lunga highways.
Work on the US $238-m 9-km Mwache-Mteza dual carriageway, with two bridges of 600 m, 1,440 m, and a 660-m viaduct, is scheduled to take 48 months and the 7-km Mteza-Kibundani Road (Phase 3 of Dongo Kundu), at a cost of $39, will take 24 months.
“The blue economy is about exploiting ocean resources such as fishing. These new linkages will connect the port and Special Economic Zones, attracting investments in fish processing and other specialised sectors for the export market. The zones are key to realisation of the big four industrialisation goals,” said Peter Mundinia.
The Kenya Ports Authority is also set to establish a Special Economic Zone at Dongo Kundu after affirming that the first berth of a new free port will be built soon.
