Likoni floating bridge: The China Road and Bridge Corporation has been named as the contractor of the Likoni floating bridge in Mombasa. The construction of the bridge will cost the taxpayer Sh. 1.5 billion.
Already, a contract has been signed between the Chinese construction firm and the Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA).
The bridge, whose construction is set to be completed within a six month period, is expected to come as a relief for residents and is also set to ease the heavy traffic that dominates the Likoni crossing channel. “This plan has taken into account such aspects as timeliness, economy, reliability, and practicality,” says the Chinese firm in a statement.
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According to a report that appeared on the firm’s website, the project will include the construction of a 660-meter pedestrian bridge stretching from north to south of Likoni. The bridge involves the construction of the pile foundations and a Bailey-type approach bridge with a movable main steel bridge in the middle of the channel that allows ship movements. The approaches on either side of the channel are fixed steel structures anchored on pile foundations.
The Likoni channel is estimated to ferry an estimated 300,000 passengers and over 6,000 cars daily.
It’s a great approach from the government and the nation at large. But many questions arises……questions like :
1. Does the floating bridge come with the collapse of Kenya ferry since the bridge will serve both the pedestrians and the vehicles?
2. Will the vehicles and the pedestrians be forced to pay as they use the bridge (toll charges) or it will be free?
3. If the KFS happen to collapse due to the floating bridge construction,where will the employees head to?
All in all,it’s a much more positive project to Mombasa and Likoni people at large.