Sh1.9 Billion Likoni Floating Bridge Officially Opens to the Public

There was joy among Mombasa residents on Friday after the newly constructed floating bridge across the Likoni Channel was officially opened to the public.

The opening of the footbridge which links Liwatoni on Mombasa Island with Ras Bofu in Likoni mainland comes three weeks after it was commissioned by President Kenyatta.

“We are really thankful. Personally, I would have used almost an hour before I crossed using the ferries, but here I have just spent only a few minutes to cross. I am just happy,” Joseph Shizama, a resident told Nation.

The 1.2-kilometer pedestrian-only floating bridge, the first of its kind in East and Central Africa, was constructed by China Road and Bridge Corporation at a cost of Sh1.9 billion.

It features a 150-meter long movable part in the center, which will be opened using motors to allow ships to pass.

The bridge is expected to ease congestion at the Likoni Ferry, which serves 300,000 people and 6,000 vehicles daily. It will free up the ferry crossing to cater for vehicular and cargo traffic across the Likoni Channel.

The Kenya Airports Authority (KPA) will operate the bridge in collaboration with the Kenya Highways Authority (Kenha).