Commuters and motorists travelling between Mombasa Island and Changamwe can look forward to a significant reduction in traffic congestion come June 2022. This is when the ongoing construction of the Makupa Bridge is expected to be completed. The bridge, a major infrastructure project, began construction in April 2021 and comes with a price tag of Ksh 4.5 billion. It is set to replace the current Makupa causeway, which was originally built in 1929, thereby modernizing the connection between Mombasa Island and the mainland.
The project is being undertaken by the China Communications and Construction Company Limited and is funded by the national government. The Mombasa County Development Implementation Coordination Committee (MCDICC) is scheduled to inspect the bridge on March 3, 2022, to ensure that the construction is on track. Lukas Mwanza, the Chairman of the Committee and also the Mombasa County Commissioner, has highlighted the bridge as one of several multi-billion shilling infrastructural projects being executed by the national government in the coastal city.
Mwanza emphasized that the new bridge will greatly enhance infrastructure along the Mombasa-Nairobi trunk road, facilitating smoother movement of cargo from the port of Mombasa. The Makupa Bridge will feature two four-lane parallel bridges, each with a width of 20 metres. Additionally, it will include a two-metre rail for non-motorised traffic and a pedestrian footpath, ensuring safety and accessibility for all users.
"The national government has committed huge resources for key infrastructural and other projects to spur development in the coastal city and the coastal region at large," Mwanza stated. He further noted that these infrastructural improvements have positioned Mombasa County as an attractive destination for investment, trade, and tourism.
In addition to the Makupa Bridge, other significant projects in Mombasa include the Mombasa-Kwa Jomvu road and the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone (SEZ), which together will cost Sh39.1 billion. Furthermore, the Mombasa-Miritini Road, along with the Airport and Port Reitz roads, have been expanded into dual carriageways at a cost of Sh23 billion. These developments underscore the government's commitment to enhancing the region's infrastructure, thereby boosting economic growth and development.
