Japan to finance 400 metres bridge across Likoni channel next year

MOMBASA, KENYA: The Japanese government, through its overseas development agency, Japan International Corporation Agency (JICA) will finance the construction a bridge linking Mombasa Island and the South Coast from March next year, a state official announced on Tuesday.

And the cost of the project will be determined after a feasibility study early next year.
According to Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) the construction of the bridge will commence "immediately after the completion of the feasibility and architectural designs in next March".
"The actual cost of the project will be determined after ongoing feasibility and architectural design is complete. But I can tell you that JICA is keen to finance the construction of the project. The government would fast track the project," said KeNHA Coast Regional Manager, Mr. Jared Makori.
KeNHA official said in Mombasa that the designs and feasibility studies which are also financed by JICA would determine the actual cost of the proposed bridge over the 400 meters wide channel at Likoni.
He said the studies will be completed in March next year and the "construction would start immediately."
The government has over the years toyed with the idea of constructing a bridge but there has been concerns whether it would be able to secure a partner to finance the project.
Other suggestions from the government was to construct a tunnel across the channel but the project was deemed unworkable but on Tuesday KeNHA sought to allay fears over the capital for the construction of bridge.
Makori said that the designs will take 12 months and that by March next year the designs would be complete and the construction will start.