The government has initiated plans to demolish the Likoni floating bridge.
Transport CS Kipchumba Murkomen while speaking in Mombasa on Friday said the bridge has led to unnecessary congestion hence hindering economic growth in the area.
The plan is to have residents who wish to cross from Mombasa Island to the Southern Coast use the Dongo Kungu bypass.
“We are still in conversation but we really want to do away with that bridge. That bridge has created unnecessary congestion in our port and I think the conversation is ongoing to see if we should expedite the Dongo Kundu Road,” he said.
“Once we do the Dongo Kundu road to completion we don’t need that bridge because it is causing immense delays,” he added.
The bridge which cost Sh1.9 billion was built specifically to ease congestion at the Likoni ferry and to help curb the spread of Covid-19
It is only used by pedestrians during the day. At night, the bridge is left open for ships to pass through.
Pedestrians wait for about an hour before crossing should there be a ship about to pass.
The plan was that the bridge be dismantled in five years’ time once the Mombasa Gate Bridge is complete.
Likoni residents started using the pedestrian floating bridge on January 1, 2021, after days of trials.
The bridge is open to pedestrians from 5 am to 8 am after which it is closed as ships are then allowed to pass through until 3 pm when the bridge is once again opened to pedestrians until 7pm.
