A bypass to increase cross-border trade between Kenya-Tanzania

After link with the port of Mombasa was opened after Dongo Kundu bypass was completed, cross-border trade between Kenya and Tanzania at Lunga-Lunga One Stop Border Post (OSBP) will grow.

After Namanga, the completion and commissioning of the $307,106 infrastructure this week within Mombasa port road network would enable goods transit to the second busiest border between Kenya and Tanzania without depending on the Likoni ferry.

Later on, the project will link with the 460-kilometer East African Coastal Corridor development project supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and funding from the European Union between Malindi and Bagamoyo.

Based on most recent statistics from the two trade nations across the border, Kenya exports manufacturing goods and raw materials; Tanzania exports mostly agricultural products over the border.

Expected to conclude March 2024 but completed early according to Kenya National Highways Authority (Kenha), the contract was awarded to the consortium of Fujita Corporation-Mitsubishi Corporation on February 20, 2019, with signature scheduled on April 18, 2019.

China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation started building in 2018 and is presently in a critical stage with the partial road opening.

With a total length of roughly 17.5 kilometers, the bypass is expected to transform the connectivity of the area with the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and Mombasa International Airport therefore benefiting a lot.

Leading manager of the project, Kenha Deputy Director Samuel Ogege, verified the effective handover of the project to the client.

“An internal committee has been assigned to supervise the handover process so that the bypass satisfies all operational and safety criteria prior to extensive use. Though the bypass is now in use, Mr. Ogege noted, an official ceremonial opening will follow to celebrate the completion of this historic project.

On February 20, 2019 the Fujita Corporation-Mitsubishi Corporation partnership received the contract.

Conceived more than twenty years ago, the Coastline Transnational Highway project is anticipated to cost $751 million and spans Bagamoyo-Tanga-Horohoro on the Tanzania side and Lunga Lunga-Mombasa-Mtwapa-Malindi on the Kenyan side.

A financing deal states that governments of Kenya and Tanzania will cover thirty percent while AfDB will fund seventy percent of the route. On the Kenyan side, already two sections between Mombasa and Kilifi are at 85 percent complete.

Leading manager of the project, Kenya National Highways Authority (Kenha) Deputy Director Samuel Ogege verified the effective handover of the project to the client.

“An internal committee has been tasked with supervising the handover procedure to make sure the bypass satisfies all operational and safety criteria prior to extensive use. Though the bypass is now in use, Mr. Ogege added, a formal ceremonial opening will follow to celebrate the end of this historic endeavor.

With Kenya Ferry Services (KFS) projected to suffer losses as the tourism industry shows a surge, the route that is toll free—built utilizing Japanese loan with government of Kenya—becomes a great comfort.

The Peninsula is part of the massive engineering achievement that is the project.

Comprising a total length of over 17.5 kilometers, the bypass is expected to transform the connectivity of the area with SGR and Mombasa International Airport therefore benefiting a lot.

Key tourism sector as it has special scenic views for road users; the three bridges—Mwache bridge spanning 660 meters and the other two bridges—Tsunza Viaduct (690m) and the Mteza Bridge, expected to be the longest bridge over water in the country and region straddling 1,440 meters will also play as important tourism sector.

The primary manager of the project, KeNHA Deputy Director Engineer Samuel Ogege, acknowledged the effective transfer of the project to the client, therefore stressing that the road is ready for public usage.

“An internal committee has been set in charge of supervising the handover process to make sure the bypass satisfies all operational and safety criteria prior to general use. Though the bypass is now under use, Mr. Ogege noted, an official ceremonial opening will follow to honor the completion of this historic project.