Works on Dongo Kundu bypass start to decongest Mombasa port

Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA) special projects manager Engineer Kung'u Ndung'u (centre) shows an architectural design of the Mombasa Port Area Road Development Project (Dongo Kundu By-pass). [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD].

The first phase of the Sh11 billion Mombasa Port Area Development Project (MPARD), popularly known as the Dongo Kundu bypass, has begun.

This project will connect Mombasa’s mainland to the South Coast by a bridge and bypass across Muache Creek west of Mombasa Island.

The full cost of the project is Sh30 billion but the figure is likely to go up with a number of additional constructions and land compensation being added.

This phase involves the construction of six road interchanges with bridges and a tunnel on the sea side, outside the Moi International Airport.

The tunnel will serve as a sea rescue route for the airport.

Speaking in Mombasa yesterday, Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) Board Chairman Erastus Mwongera said they are still negotiating with the Japanese International Aid Co-operation (Jica), who provided the initial funding of the MPARD project, to fund the second and third phases.

He said phase one of the project entails construction works of a 10.1km dual carriageway from Miritini junction to Kipevu, which also comprises an interchange at Miritini and at the entry of Kipevu, rail-over road bridge at Miritini, a weigh bridge along the Kipevu link road and a 1.3km access road to the Moi International Airport.

The entire MPARD project is expected to take 36 months.

“The key purpose of this road will be to decongest Mombasa port and ensure a quicker turnaround time for freight logistics companies delivering and collecting cargo,” he said.

The second phase will involve construction of a 8.96km Mwache-Dongo Kundu road and Mwache and Mteza bridges.

In the third and final phase, the 6.86km Dongo Kundu-Kibundani road will be built with an interchange at Kibundani junction with Likoni–Ukunda–Lunga Lunga highway. A site seeing bay will also be constructed at the start of the project.

“Upon completion of the three phases, the Dongo Kundu bypass is expected to bring far-reaching benefits and a very positive impact to traffic flow management at the Coast,” Mwongera said.

KeNHA Manager in Charge of Special Projects Kungu Ndungu said they are working closely with the Kenya Forestry Services (KFS) to mitigate environmental degradation with key focus on the mangrove forest cover around Port Reitz Creek.

“We have made an undertaking to ensure that we double up mangrove tree replanting in this area and ensure that we maintain its original forest cover,” Mr Ndungu said.

Catalyse development

KeNHA Acting Director General Linus Tonui said the MPARD project upon completion will reduce the travel turnaround and catalyse industrial development, minimise on transportation costs by mitigating the loss of hours.

“There will be immense economic opportunities arising once the road is built and will spur development and ease movement within Mombasa, which has been a challenge for a while,” he said.

Mr Tonui said the completion of the road will enhance tourism in the South Coast, which has always suffered as a result of congestion and other complications related to the Likoni Ferry Channel.

“We also expect to see robust growth in housing and trade within the South Coast as a result of this new road link.

“This growth is also expected on the Kwale side, as a result of the opening up of the area that was hitherto considered unviable for any serious economic development,” he said.