d o n g o ku n d u
Dongo Kundu development one step closer T
he long-held strategy to build a free trade zone at Dongo Kundu could soon become a reality. Development of the site depends largely on construction of the Dongo Kundu southern bypass and this is now a step closer as the new container terminal in Mombasa moves nearer to completion. Once the new container terminal is ready, construction of the new road becomes essential to link the port to the Nairobi highway and avoiding the already busy Changamwe area of Mombasa. The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has given the go-ahead. The proposed route will pass to the south of Moi International Airport and west of Port Reitz harbour before turning south. It will be about 18 km in length, linking Miritini on the mainland to Ng’ombeni in the south, and will include four bridges. It will also connect the Likoni-Diani and Mombasa-Nairobi highways.
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Phase 1 will focus on the highway from Miritini, west of Moi International Airport, to Vumirirani on the A14 Coast Road. Two large bridges will be constructed: a 495 metre span over water at Mkupe and a 1,360 metre span at Dongo Kundu crossing 760 metres of mangrove and mud flats and 600 metres of water. Work is expected to start late 2014.
link road Phase 2 involves the improvement of other roads on the mainland and Mombasa, including the vital 6 km link road from the new container terminal to the bypass. The KES 4 billion highway has been in the pipeline for over 40 years; but when complete it will provide the Port of Mombasa with far better access to markets in the south as well as boosting the tourism potential of the south coast. It is also badly needed by daily