Although not yet 100% complete, the so-called Dongo Kundu bypass that connects Mombasa airport to the south coast (Tiwi, Ukunda, Diani and from there to the Tanzanian border) is finally open and passable. This means that tourists and residents arriving in Kenya by landing at Mombasa airport, will no longer have to run into city traffic and take the infamous 'ferry', the ferry for cars and people that for about forty years was the only way to cross the canal of Kenya's second largest city, which, as many know, is located on an island.
This link also passes over the canal, via a bridge, but at a point where the two banks are very close and where the seabed is shallower, between Miritini, the area of the port and airport, and Kibundani on the south bank.
The project started five years ago and the delivery was delayed by only five months compared to the schedule.
Now it finally encompasses the entire bypass that connects the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone to the highway to Nairobi and at the airport now extends beyond Likoni on the south shore into Kwale County. To reach the tourist resort of Diani, it will now take a little over half an hour and one will not have to contend with the Russian roulette of ferries, which are sometimes broken, others victims of accidents of trucks getting stuck on the way in or out, traffic and various African.
The whole project cost $40 million and obviously if it were only for tourism it would never have been done. In fact, the special economic zone is also used by Tanzanian companies and vehicles, or those from other countries connected via Tanzania, to stow containers at the port of Mombasa, and the articulated trucks themselves will no longer have to use the ferry, which will become a privilege for passengers on foot, motorbike or bicycle, and especially those heading to the town of Likoni.
Although the ring road is now open, the project is 96% complete and only one way, alternating. The contractor is still finalising essential aspects such as road signs, lighting and asphalting. Therefore cars, motorbikes and pedestrians can use it, but heavy goods vehicles are not yet allowed to access it.
Obviously there is great relief among both tour operators and residents, the ferries currently serve over 300,000 people and 6,000 cars per day.
Kenya Coast Tourists Association chief executive officer Julius Owino said that the opening of Dongo Kundu, even if partial, is one of the best news ever for the south coast economy, because it will eliminate inconvenience and allow safari agencies to keep to their schedules and customers not to lose unnecessary hours in traffic and even, as has happened in the past, return flights. If from Diani tourists were often forced to leave three hours earlier to be sure of arriving at the airport on time, now one will suffice.
It is not yet clear whether, once the bypass is completed, toll booths will also be erected and tolls will have to be paid, but considering that the bypass will reduce ferry revenues, the media give as probable that charges will be similar to those of the ferry, i.e. 100 to 200 shillings to pass.
The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has stated that the toll policy will be subject to public participation and will be implemented once approved.