In line with the Government’s commitment to improve road infrastructure and remove non-tariff barriers, an impediment to the facilitation of faster movement of goods and services, the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) embarked on an ambitious infrastructure project in Mombasa to expand the current single 2-way roadway to a dual carriageway with 6 lanes from Mombasa (Digo Road) to Kwa Jomvu a section of Mombasa-Mariakani Highway in 2017.
The project is co-financed by Government of Kenya and the African Development Bank (AfDB) at a cost of Sh6.1 billion.
The Third Engineering Bureau of China City Construction Group Co. Ltd is implementing the road works under the supervision of the Kenya National Highways Authority.
Once the Mombasa-Mariakani Highway project is completed, it will complement the Port Reitz-Moi International Airport Access Road and the upcoming dualling of Magongo Road as well as the Mombasa Southern Bypass (Dongo Kundu Bypass).
KeNHA said the projects will positively revolutionize and transform the economic competitiveness of Mombasa and the neighbouring counties and countries.
"Dualling of the approximately 11.3 Km road, a section of Mombasa-Mariakani will provide access to the Port of Mombasa and facilitates freight transport originating or destined for Nairobi and other inland regional cities of countries in East and Central Africa connected by the Northern Corridor," KeNHA said on Friday, May 11.
According to the Authority, socio-economic development and subsequent economic growth of any nation is strongly linked to good road network infrastructure.
"Lack of adequate road infrastructure is one of the major factors hampering development in Mombasa and the Coastal region at large, this goes further to be an impediment to the landlocked countries in the East and Central African region that rely on the Port of Mombasa."
Poor access road network has been a non-tariff barrier and an impediment to the facilitation of faster movement of goods and services.
Dualling of Mombasa-Mariakani road will transform, revolutionize and influence the social economic progress of the entire region once completed.