The Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) Board of Directors and Senior Management last week inspected the ongoing Package 2 and 3 of the Mombasa Port Area Road Development Project – Dongo Kundu Bypass.
Package 2 which runs from Mwache interchange and ends at Dongo Kundu, Mwangala, is at 29 percent physical progress. Package 3 which starts at Mwangala to Kibundani is at 76 percent physical progress, KeNHA announced.
The two roads connect with the Dongo Kundu Bypass Package 1 at Mwache Interchange and terminate at Kibundani along the Mombasa-Lunga Lunga Road. The road will play a significant role in easing traffic congestion in Mombasa town and boost economic growth in the South Coast.
The launch of phase two of Dongo Kundu Bypass follows June 2018’s completion and opening of phase one. 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. A Japanese consortium, Fujita Corporation-Mitsubishi Corporation, has commenced work 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 the 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.
The bypass is contained in a 2004 government master plan aimed at opening up the South Coast by improving the road network and increasing tourists visiting the area. It will also improve road links with Tanzania.
The proposed bypass starts near Miritini, about 10 kilometres away from Mombasa Island, West of Moi International Airport, on the central mainland.
All the containers generated by the second container terminal are delivered through phase 1.
Dongo Kundu SEZ in Likoni is being designed to be a multi-sectoral zone comprising Industrial Parks, Free Trade Zones/Free Port, Dongo Kundu Port, Tourism Zone (MICE), Business Service Parks; and Commercial and Residential Zone.
The SEZ will be developed in three phases with the first phase expected to be ready by 2023 and is projected to inject into Kenya’s economy Sh400 billion in local and foreign direct investments and create more than 100,000 jobs.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, in October 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta said that the Dongo Kundu SEZ will herald a milestone transformation in the coastal region and will further promote the “Buy Kenya, Build Kenya” philosophy.
The Dongo Kundu SEZ is designed to support the development of the blue economy and is primed to host mega factories that will add value to Kenyan raw materials, including cash crops, fruits and vegetables.
