The much-awaited construction of Ksh1.5 billion Likoni floating bridge has continued and could beat the set completion deadline of November 28.
A ship with steel for the construction of the Likoni floating bridge is expected to dock at the Port of Mombasa in the next few days.
Construction of two embankments from which the bridge will be harnessed has started.
“The project will be a relief to more than 300,000 people who use Likoni Crossing Channel on a daily basis,” Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) Coast regional director Eric Wambua said.
The ship with the construction equipment and other materials to be used in assembling the bridge left China last week and will dock at close to Kipevu Oil Terminal.
The contract was awarded to China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC).
The State-owned Chinese firm will first assemble the piling barge then transport the bridges to Liwatoni and Peleleza embankments where they will be installed.
KeNHA projects that the completion on the bridge could be sooner than November 28. This is due to the availability of construction materials.
Initially, there were worries that the completion date would not be met after delays by the sub-contractor, Sakawa Agencies who has since been kicked out.
“The new suppliers are doing a good job and we expect to complete the two embankments where the bridge will be joined on time,”, Wambua quipped.
Sakawa has lodged a petition in court contesting termination of contract which was worth Ksh28 million.
In his petition, the sub-contractor said that the termination was illegal because it did not follow due process.
The project is meant to ease human and motor traffic at the Likoni Channel where decades-old ferries are the main source of transport.
Once complete, the Likoni floating bridge will link the Mombasa Island to the mainland south which is expected to boost the economy.
The Likoni floating bridge will be used by pedestrians, motorcyles and bicycles.
The bridge will feature a 150-metre section in the middle of the ocean which is moveable to facilitate the movement of ships coming in and out of the Port of Mombasa.
