Construction of road linking port of Mombasa to Changamwe roundabout completed

By Tobby Otum

The construction of the road infrastructure which links the port of Mombasa via gate number 18 to the famous Changamwe roundabout has been completed at the tune of Sh 2 billion.

The highway has replaced the old four-lane road and was co-financed by the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and TradeMark East Africa (TMEA).

KPA General Manager Infrastructure Development Vincent Sidai said the 1.2 kilometre road located near Chaani area extends from Changamwe roundabout through the port of Mombasa’s gate number 18 with an additional 200 meters inside the port area.

He said the road network will boost the port of Mombasa’s quest to become a world-class port of choice which is now on an acceleration course following the completion of the six-lane concrete road on the Kipevu road.

“The road will boost port capacity by improving on in and outflow of traffic with other economic benefits including improved service delivery,” he pointed out.

In a press release ahead of the official launch of the road network he assured stakeholders there will be reduced congestion at the port through faster truck turnaround and reduced delays with faster clearance at the gate.

The KPA officer added the much awaited completion of the road infrastructure will also accommodate a 40 metres railway bridge with two cells for vehicles and a gate canopy for customs and security purposes.

Sidai explained the completed road is envisaged to improve productivity and ultimately reduce cost of doing business hence affordable consumer goods.

He further said the construction of the new road was necessitated after it was noted that the ground had continued becoming unstable and could not withstand the increased frequency of heavy commercial trucks plying the route due to the increased capacity at the port.

“The four lane dual carriageway suffered with increased traffic leading to bottling at the Changamwe roundabout thus effectively disrupting fluidity of cargo movement,” he pointed out.