Infrastructure
Long-awaited Likoni cable cars project set to get underway
Construction of the cable cars system is expected to begin in December.
Construction of a Sh5.8 billion cable cars system across the Likoni crossing in Mombasa will get underway by end of the year, giving East Africa its first ever airborne transit scheme.
This follows the imminent completion of pre-engineering works that kicked off in June, involving the survey of the sites where landing stations and masts will be erected.
According to Likoni Cable Cars Express Limited, which is handling the project, construction of the cable cars system will begin in December and the facility is set to be operational in 2020.
“We expect to start actual works on this project in the next 60 to 90 days. In the meantime, we will be processing statutory construction permits,” Likoni Cable Cars Express chairman Gerald Muigai said in a statement.
The Likoni cable cars project will be undertaken by C&C Construction Company, which will be tasked with erecting two 90-metre masts and construction of the two landing stations.
C&C is working with Austrian–Swiss company Doppelmayr Garaventa Group, which will be in charge of the technical bit of the project – which includes supply of the cars and ropes.
The project will be implemented on a Private-Public-Partnership model, where Likoni Cable Cars will run the facility for 25 years before handing it over to the Kenya Ferry Services (KFS).
“After the 25 years concession period KFS or any eligible company will upgrade, maintain and ensure service delivery to users,” KFS managing director Bakari Gowa said in an interview.
KFS and Trapos Limited have signed a deal for the implementation of the project, paving the way for the private partner to conclude financials to allow execution of the project.
The Likoni cable car project will operate 22 gondolas (cable cars), each capable of carrying 38 passengers. The system will ferry up to 180,000 commuters per day.
Reaching the heights of Likoni, the high-flying cable cars will enable commuters to cross the 500-metre wide channel in three minutes, while offering stunning aerial views of the area.
Commuters currently rely on four ferries to cross the Likoni channel.
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