Human congestion at the busy Likoni crossing channel is set to decrease exponentially after the construction of a floating footbridge that will link Mombasa Island to the mainland south was flagged off.
The bridge will cost about Sh1.7 billion and is contracted to the China Road and Bridge Corporation at the Liwatoni area of Mombasa Island, it is set for completion in November this year.
It starts at the former Outrigger Hotel next to the Kenya Coast Guard headquarters in Mvita sub-County and crosses the sea to Peleleza in Likoni sub-County.
The floating bridge will be a composite structure designed for pedestrians only. It will comprise of a 529 m long floating section, and 54 m long approaches on either side of the floating span.
According to Evans Momanyi, a sub-contractor of the project, construction work for the causeway and a holding bay is set to be completed by the end of August.
Speaking during the inspection tour of the project by the Coast Regional Commissioner John Elungata, Momanyi said the floating suspension bridge and guard rails will be installed on either side of the deck to ensure pedestrian safety.
Elungata said the envisioned footbridge will complement the existing ferry services to streamline safe passageways for pedestrians and reduce overcrowding that characterizes the busy channel.
It is estimated that more than 300,000 people and 6,000 vehicles cross the busy channel daily using seven ferries.
