The government is now undertaking the second phase of the Dongo Kundu Bypass project after phase one was completed at a cost of Sh11 billion.
The second phase entails a 8.96 kilometer dual carriageway project, expected to cost Sh22 billion.
It will involve the construction of an interchange at the Likoni-Lunga Lunga highway and erection of two bridges, one at Mwache spanning 660 metres and another at Mteza straddling 1,440 metres.
Transport CS James Macharia on Monday toured the project stating that phase two was going to be the most difficult one given that it will have to go across the sea.
"The most difficult part is this one here which comes from here Mwache and goes above the sea to Muteza because it is crossing three sections of the sea, in total we shall have a bridge of about 2.4 kilometers, " said Macharia.
Once completed, the CS said that the project will open up the South Coast and it will reduce cost and time used to crossover to and from the South Coast.
It is also expected to serve the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone and will boost trade and tourism.
"It will provide a very seamless alternative for people going to the South Coast and don't want to pass through Mombasa town, people can use the bridge to get to Mazeras without having to go round 40 kilometers," said Macharia.
A Japanese company Fujita is undertaking the second phase with the bridge expected to be ready by June 2022.
Phase one of the bypass completed at a cost Sh39 billion was opened in 2018 and runs from Mombasa Port’s second container terminal and joins the Mombasa-Nairobi highway at Bonje, near Mazeras.
Phase three of the project will go from Muteza to Kibundani at the South Coast.
The CS said that the projects were being done under the 'Mombasa Port Area Development' which involves other major projects not only in the county but across the coastal region.
He stated that the Sh28 billion Changamwe roundabout interchange section will be ready by November and will allow for free flow of traffic paving way for heavy trucks going to the Port of Mombasa.
The construction of the Sh4.5 billion 457-metre-long Makupa Bridge is also expected to be ready by April next year to replace the old causeway that was constructed in 1929 and give back Mombasa it's island status.
"We have already put a provision for a commuter rail from Miritini all the way to Mombasa town to ease congestion as we do the Makupa bridge, it is difficult to avoid traffic while working on a very active road like this," said Macharia.
The CS also stated that the new Lamu Port will receive two new baths to add to the already existing three constructed at a cost Sh40 billion and expected to have 32 baths once completed, adding that it will put the port as a major transshipment centre across the region.
The CS also said that government was planning to dual the Mombasa-Malindi highway in two lots.
Lot one will be from the Nyali Bridge to Mtwapa then followed by Mtwapa to Kwa Kazengo in Kilifi.
"The Jubilee government has pumped in close to Sh3.6 trillion in mega investment projects at the Coast, we are proud of what the president and the government has done to ensure the region is developed," he said.
" This was his vision to make sure that we made the coast a totally different economic block," he added.
The government is also expected to undertake the Mombasa Gateway Bridge at a cost of Sh85 billion.
The 1.4km Mombasa Gateway Bridge, will connect Mombasa Island with South Coast substituting the 84-year-old ferry service that suffers perennial breakdowns that delay traffic flow to and from Mombasa.
The project was expected to begin in June this year and is expected to end by June 2024 according to the Mombasa Gate Bridge City Master plan.
