Sh3.1bn road at the Coast to boost tourism, transport sectors

The Kenya National Highway Director-General Eng Peter Mundinia (right) on January 8, 2016 briefs members of his team on the preparations for the official launch of the 6.4 km Changamwe, Moi Airport and Port Reitz Road by President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday. The dual carriageway will help speed up traffic flow through the port and also help cut the time it takes to transport cargo as well as ease the transport of travellers to Moi International Airport. PHOTO | LABAN WALLOGA |

What you need to know:

  • The project, jointly funded by Kenya (Sh1.1 billion) and the UK government through the Department for International Development (Sh2 billion), will see Port Reitz road turned into a dual carriageway from the Port of Mombasa to the airport.
  • The President will be accompanied by the British High Commissioner to Kenya Nic Hailey and Trade Mark East Africa CEO Frank Matsaert.
  • The dual carriageway will help speed up traffic flow through the port and also help cut the time it takes to transport cargo.
  • It will also ease the transport of travellers to Moi International Airport.

President Uhuru Kenyatta will on Saturday launch the construction of Port Reitz/Moi International Airport access road, a project that is expected to stimulate trade at the Coast.

The project, jointly funded by Kenya (Sh1.1 billion) and the UK government through the Department for International Development (Sh2 billion), will see Port Reitz road turned into a dual carriageway from the Port of Mombasa to the airport.

The contractor is expected to set up road intersections, traffic lights, junctions, drainage systems as well as two-metre wide side-walks.

The President will be accompanied by the British High Commissioner to Kenya Nic Hailey and Trade Mark East Africa CEO Frank Matsaert.

IMMENSE BENEFITS

The dual carriageway will help speed up traffic flow through the port and also help cut the time it takes to transport cargo.

It will also ease the transport of travellers to Moi International Airport.

Over the past two decades, the airport access road has been in a mess, with perennial traffic jams costing passengers their flights.

Stakeholders in the tourism and transport businesses on Friday lauded the plan, saying it would go a long way in improving traffic flow and the image of Mombasa.

The Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers boss Sam Ikwaye said once complete, the roads will afford the airport its international standards.

“The current infrastructure around the airport is embarrassing.

I remember a delegate who had flown in at night for a conference at a beach hotel but could not believe he was being driven to the airport on the third day.

He had to confirm from a police officer whether indeed he was being driven to the airport.

“Although infrastructure in Mombasa has been neglected for long, this is a positive development and we welcome it,” Mr Ikwaye said.