Section of road connecting Mombasa to mainland to be closed for two weeks
Motorists use the Makupa Bridge-Kibarani-Changamwe Interchange section of the Mombasa-Nairobi Highway in Mombasa County on November 16, 2024.
What you need to know:
- The section of the highway will be closed between Sunday, November 17 and Sunday, December 1, 2024.
- KeNHA warns of potential traffic disruptions and urges motorists to adhere to traffic management plan.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has announced a two-week closure of a section of the Mombasa-Nairobi Highway between the Makupa Bridge and the Changamwe Interchange to facilitate road and drainage construction.
The closure will run from Sunday, November 17, to Sunday, December 1, 2024.
In a public notice issued on Friday, KeNHA warned of potential traffic disruptions in the area and urged motorists to adhere to the traffic management plan.
“KeNHA wishes to notify the public that a section of the Mombasa-Nairobi (A8) Highway will experience traffic disruptions between Makupa Bridge and Changamwe Interchange,” read the statement.
Improve connectivity
KeNHA Director General Kung’u Ndung’u explained that the works aim to improve connectivity between Makupa Bridge and Changamwe.
He assured road users of the authority’s commitment to minimising disruptions.
Mr Mohamed Osman, the Trade and Tourism executive for Mombasa County, acknowledged the inconvenience but called for enhanced measures to ease traffic during the festive season.
“We hope they can reduce the timeline by working 24 hours. Traffic marshals must work around the clock to manage the flow effectively,” he said, adding that the county government would provide recommendations to ensure smooth operations.
Mr Mohamed Hersi, the director of operations at Pollmans Tours & Safaris, expressed optimism about the project, noting the availability of adequate lanes on the Makupa Bridge.
Traffic challenges
“With the expanded road and KeNHA’s proactive approach, I don’t foresee major issues. They plan to complete the works by December 1, which is reasonable,” he said.
However, Hersi cited traffic challenges in Mombasa North due to ongoing works from Bombolulu to Mtwapa, which he said required more attention.
Residents and motorists raised concerns about the timing of the construction.
Ms Irene Kawinzi, a resident of Mikindani, criticised the decision, citing the impact on transport and business.
“This is the main entry point to Mombasa Island, and the delays will disrupt travel and lead to lost business opportunities,” she said.
KeNHA urged road users to cooperate with police and traffic marshals on-site to minimise delays during the construction period.
