The chaos that characterizes the Likoni Channel crossing in Mombasa is expected to dramatically reduce upon the completion of a floating pedestrian footbridge later this year. The bridge, which is being built by China Road and Bridge Corporation at a cost of Kes 1.7 billion, will consist of a 715-metre long floating section and 54-metre long approaches on either side of the floating span. The bridge runs from Liwatoni in Mombasa Island to Ras Bofu (Peleleza) in Likoni.
Construction work is moving steadily. Offshore assembly of the bridge has started after a ship with the steel tubular piles arrived in Mombasa last weekend. Filling of the first embankment at Liwatoni on the island side is complete and the contractor will move to Peleleza. The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) is overseeing the project.
At least 300,000 people and 6,000 vehicles use the Likoni crossing daily.
The floating bridge is different from the proposed 1.4 km Likoni Gate Bridge, which will be constructed at a cost of Kes 210 billion.
