This archive report was first published on 3 August 2020.
On August 3, 2020, the construction of a floating footbridge at the Likoni crossing channel in Mombasa, Kenya, was flagged off. The project aims to alleviate the congestion and overcrowding that characterizes the busy channel.
The Sh1.7 billion footbridge, contracted to the China Road and Bridge Corporation, will link Mombasa Island to the mainland south. It is set for completion in November 2020 and will be a composite structure designed for pedestrians only.
The bridge will comprise 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, Momanyi said the floating suspension bridge and guard rails will be installed on either side of the deck to ensure pedestrian safety. The envisioned footbridge will complement the existing ferry services to streamline safe passageways for pedestrians and reduce overcrowding.
It is estimated that more than 300,000 people and 6,000 vehicles cross the busy channel daily using seven ferries. The Coast Regional Commissioner, John Elungata, said the footbridge will be a significant addition to the existing infrastructure, providing a safe and efficient way for pedestrians to cross the channel.
