Likoni floating bridge set to be opened this month

The Sh1.7 billion bridge, expected to be opened to the public in mid-month, will be 800 metres long and will have a six-metre wide walkway.

The bridge will have a 150-metre long movable part, right at the middle, which will be opened and closed to allow for ships to pass through to and from the Mombasa port.

The movable part will be connected to motors on both sides of the section to allow the bridge to open and close.

The northern trestle, which is the part between the start of the bridge on the Island side where the movable part will start, will be 248m long. The southern trestle will be 188 meters long.

The road approaching the start of the bridge on the Island side, known as the North approach road, will be 162m long while the South approach road on the mainland side will be 175m long.

Kenya National Highways Authority engineer Erick Wambua said piling, which forms the foundation of the bridge, is made of special concrete that is strong enough to withstand the weight of the bridge.

It is reinforced by steel structures which will also support the actual floating bridge.

Pontoons will be placed on either side of the movable section to reinforce the support structure of the bridge.