LIKONI FLOATING BRIDGE ASSEMBLING BEGINS IN KENYA
Assembling of the bridge has began after a ship with 70 steel tubular piles arrived in Mombasa.
The Likoni floating bridge is part of the government’s plans to ease human traffic at the Likoni channel in a bid to contain the spread of the Covid-19. While also helping more than 300,000 people who use the Likoni crossing channel on a daily basis.
China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) is in charge of handling the project as they have already moved the piling barge to the site for assembling before the installation at the both Liwatoni and Peleleza embankments.
Speaking to the media, CRBC Engineer Roanal Liao said filling of the first embankment at Liwatoni on the island side is complete and they will be moving to the Peleleza side on the mainland side.
Quoting Liao, “Part of the bridge structure is in Mombasa and pile testing has started which will be followed by pile driving into the ocean which will take a minimum of 25 days. The barge is already on site. We are within schedule and hope to complete it within this year as planned.”
He further noted that the bridge will last seven years before any part of it can be replaced. That CRBC is expected to mobilise a floating crane to mount the superstructure into place once the bridge and steel truss arrive in Mombasa next month.
Meanwhile, the bridge a first of its kind in the region, is expected to complement the existing ferry services to enable safe passage for pedestrians, motorcycles and bicycles to reduce the overcrowding that is currently witnessed at the Likoni crossing channel.
Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) is implementating the bridge that will link Mombasa Island to the mainland south. With the bridge having a 529-metre long floating section and 54-metre long approaches on either side of the floating span.
It will also have a 150-metre section mid-ocean which will be movable to allow for opening and closing and ease the movement of ships in and out of the port.
Source: Nation