Japan is set to loan Kenya about $450 million, geared towards the construction of a 1.3km bridge over the Kilindini harbour that will link Mombasa island to the mainland.
The project, dubbed the Mombasa Gate Bridge, aims at reducing the economic losses caused by traffic congestion, therefore, allowing Mombasa to achieve its full economic potential.
Construction of the Mombasa Gate Bridge, which will have spiral ramps at both ends, will begin in 2021.
The initial total cost of the construction approximates to Kshs 80 billion ($771 Million), with construction works planned to start on Lumumba Road, near Jela Baridi Prison, Majengo. It will then cross the railway station and Moi Avenue along Archbishop Makarios Road, cross the Likoni Channel at Mwenza Creek and then join the Southern By-pass at Ziwani through the Mtongwe road.
The design work of the bridge was co-financed by the Kenyan government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
In addition to the bridge construction, Japan will also give a $350 million loan and a $57 million grant towards developing a port, road, electricity and water supply and drainage in the special economic zone known as Dongo Kundu in Mombasa.
Japan has increased loans to Kenya by 162% over the last year, jumping from $503 million in June 2018 to $1.3 billion by June 2019.
See Also:
Japan to Finance the Nairobi Rail Flyover Project
Japan Pledges $20 billion (Ksh2 trillion) in Private Investment to Africa
