Infrastructure
Makupa Bridge: Replacing Century-Old Causeway
The 457-metre bridge replaced a causeway built by colonialists in 1929.
Makupa Bridge is a stunning 457-metre-long viaduct spanning the Makupa Causeway in Mombasa, connecting Mombasa Island to the Kenyan mainland.
The bridge, built by the China Communications and Construction Company, features a turning radius with a 650m curve and comprises 11 spans, each measuring 24.60m.
The facility also includes 9 pile caps, each with 4 piles, and one pile cap with 5 piles. The abutments are supported by 6 piles each, totaling 53 piles.
The piles range from 49m to 35m in depth, designed as friction piles.
Construction of the Mkupa Bridge commenced in April 2021 and was completed in June 2022 at a cost of Sh4.5 billion. President Uhuru Kenyatta opened the bridge on 4 August 2022.
The Makupa Bridge connects Tudor and Port Reitz creeks, allowing for the demolition of the Makupa Causeway—built in 1929—to return Mombasa to its natural status as an island.
Ecologists believe that the construction of Makupa Causeway obstructed the flow of water in Tudor Creek, interfering with marine life.
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According to the President’s Delivery Unit (PDU), which oversaw the execution of the Makupa Bridge, the facility provides a safe and environmentally friendly vehicular and railway crossing to replace the Makupa Causeway.
“Additionally, the project will improve infrastructure along the Mombasa-Nairobi trunk road, allowing free flow of traffic,” PDU said during the construction period.
Stephen Gichuru, the project’s resident engineer, said: “The bridge will pave the way for the demolition of Makupa Causeway and restoration of the ecosystem in the area, including the free flow of water and marine life”.
Traffic disruption
During the construction of the bridge, Mombasa residents experienced heavy traffic congestion as vehicles were re-routed to accommodate the activities.
The island-bound road was closed for at least one year, along with the lower inbound road to Mombasa, causing disruptions throughout the entire construction period.
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