Nyali bridge project on course as firms shortlisted
This image taken on October 3, 2018 shows Nyali Bridge in Mombasa. There are plans to build a second bridge. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The bridge will reduce traffic congestion experienced by motorists from the North Coast.
- It will start from Abdel Nasser Road on the Island to join Links Road on the Northern Mainland.
Plans to construct a second bridge at Nyali crossing in Mombasa has gained momentum after the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (Kura) identified firms to partner with under Public-Private Partnership model.
On Wednesday, Kura announced it had shortlisted three firms for the project, a toll bridge connecting the Mombasa Island and the Northern mainland.
Motorists will pay to use the bridge which is meant to decongest the Mombasa city.
The companies, which were picked from a pool of five, are Nyali Connect Consortium (Meridiam Infrastructure, Vinci Highways, Vinci Concessions), IHI-Join-Acciona Consortium (IHI, Acciona Construccion, JOIN(Japan Overseas Infrastructure Investment Corporation for Transport & Urban Development)) and Strabag AG.
“It is the qualified firm that the government will get into a deal with. We want to start negotiations and see who can offer the best deal from the three,” Kura communication officer John Cheboi said.
LINK
Mr Cheboi said they are waiting for the Treasury to renew consultancy firm Deloitte's contract so that they can engage further on the issue.
In addition, Mr Cheboi said they are set to determine the cost of the project and starting date. The proposed bridge will be 500 metres to the east away from the current Nyali Bridge and approximately 520 metres across the Tudor creek.
The bridge will pass near the Tamarind Hotel where the old Nyali Bridge was situated. It will start from Abdel Nasser Road on the Island to join Links Road on the Northern Mainland.
The undertaking is part of the larger Mombasa transport master plan that will see various projects built on the coastal city to reduce congestion.
It will be an alternative link between Mombasa Island and the North Coast.
CONGESTION
The current bridge was built about 38 years ago and acts as the only link between Mombasa mainland and the Island.
It was built by the Japanese when the population of Mombasa was less than 20,000.
The region's Transport minister, Mr Tawfiq Balala, said the bridge will reduce traffic congestion experienced by motorists from the North Coast.
“It clear that when the bridge is put up we will have dealt with the congestion,” he said.
