Govt commences construction of Ksh1.7b Likoni floating footbridge – KBC

Construction of the Ksh 1.7 billion Likoni floating footbridge that will link Mombasa Island to the mainland south has commenced.

Coast Regional Commissioner John Elungata said that the first pedestrian footbridge to be built at the Likoni crossing channel is expected to end the perennial human congestion at vital busy crossing channel.

The administrator said the goal of the project is to ease pressure of the overcrowded Likoni ferries during the current coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic.

He said the bridge will help reduce the perennial congestion at the crossing channel and allow residents to access Mombasa Island and the mainland south with ease.

Elungata said the project will be undertaken by the State Department of Infrastructure through its implementing agency the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).

He said the contractor, China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) is on site at the Liwatoni area of Mombasa where the floating bridge dubbed ‘Likoni Floating Pedestrian Bridge’ will start towards the mainland south.

He said the construction work is expected to be complete by November this year.

He said the project will create the shortest route linking Mombasa Island and mainland south and onward to the neighbouring Kwale County thus reducing the link distance and cutting on time spent on queuing to board the ferries.

Elungata said the new floating bridge will be for the exclusive use of pedestrians as an alternative to the ferries noting that enforcing social distancing at the vital crossing channel has been a nightmare for the authorities since the outbreak of the coronavirus.

The RC said the envisioned footbridge will complement the existing ferry services to streamline safe passageways for pedestrians and reduce overcrowding that characterize the busy channel.

“The floating bridge provides an alternative to the ferries and will in the long run enhance trade and integration between the residents of the island and mainland south” said Elungata.

The floating bridge will be a composite structure designed for pedestrians only. The bridge deck will comprise a 529 m long floating section, and 54 m long approaches on either side of the floating span.

The bridge will have a discrete continuous structural system with 35 No. double body supported boats, and 2 No. end boats with twin springboards are installed to form the floating bridge deck.

It will be connected by pins and hinges while guard rails will be installed on either side of the deck to ensure pedestrian safety.