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Dongo Kundu Bypass Finally Opens to Traffic

Plans underway to launch works on phase two of the project.

Updated

Dongo Kundu bypass in Mombasa.
A section of the newly completed Dongo Kundu bypass in Mombasa. PHOTO | FILE

The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has officially opened phase one of the Sh39 billion Dongo Kundu Bypass in Mombasa, giving motorists something to cheer about.

The highway, which was commissioned by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Thursday, is expected to ease movement of people and goods in Mombasa.

“This road is a unique piece of infrastructure. It is designed with provisions to integrate seamlessly with the port of Mombasa, the Moi International Airport, the Standard Gauge Railway, the Nairobi-Mombasa Highway, and the upcoming Mombasa Northern Bypass,” President Kenyatta said at Bonje where the launching ceremony was held.

The opening of the road comes at a time when the government is preparing to launch works on the second phase of the Dongo Kundu Bypass project.

Construction of the 11-kilometre bypass between Mombasa Port and Miritini was launched in July 2016 with a construction timeline of 36 months and a budget of Sh11 billion.

The road runs from Mombasa Port’s second container terminal and joins the Mombasa-Nairobi highway at Bonje, near Mazeras.

The project was undertaken by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation.

“[Dongo Kundu] is a very important project because the road will help evacuate cargo from the port. You realise that there is a lot of congestion at Jomvu and Miritini, a problem we are trying to address by creating this link,” then Infrastructure PS John Mosonik told reporters last year.

The Dongo Kundu Bypass, also known as the Southern Bypass, was proposed 30 years ago as a means to decongest Mombasa by providing an alternative to the Likoni ferry through linking the mainland with the south coast.

Dongo Kundu Bypass Map

Dongo Kundu Bypass map.
Dongo Kundu Bypass map.

Following the laudable progress of the initial phase of the project, KeNHA is now gearing up to launch the second and third phase of the project by August.

Phase two the Dongo Kundu Bypass consists of an 8.9-kilometre road between Mwache Junction and Mteza, while the third and final phase involves construction of a 6.9-kilometre road from Mteza and Kibundani – linking the highway to the Likoni-Lunga Lunga road.

The project will involve construction of an interchange at the Likoni-Lunga Lunga road and installation of two bridges: one at Mwache – spanning 900 metres, and a second one at Mteza straddling 1.4 kilometres.

Albert Andeso holds a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Nairobi. He has extensive experience in construction and has been involved in many roads, bridges, and buildings projects.