Feature: Chinese-built floating bridge eases mobility in Kenya's Mombasa city

NAIROBI, Jan. 27 (Xinhua) -- The Liwatoni Floating Bridge that was built by China Road and Bridge Corporation has eased traffic congestion at the Likoni crossing channel located on the southern tip of Kenya's coastal city of Mombasa.

Pedestrians hailed the 800-meter floating bridge that was opened for use on New Year's Eve, saying it has been a game-changer in mobility within Mombasa and its environs.

"This bridge has been very helpful to us since it was opened to pedestrians. We used to spend more than 45 minutes waiting for the ferry to transport us across the Likoni channel," Naftali Osoro, a resident of Mombasa told on Wednesday.

"We are no longer waking up at dawn to wait for the ferry which often fails to arrive on time. The floating bridge has made it convenient to travel to work," he added.

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Dec. 10, 2020, officially launched the Liwatoni Pedestrian Floating Bridge after its construction that lasted five months.

Kenyatta said the state-of-the-art bridge whose construction cost 1.9 billion shillings (about 17 million U.S. dollars) will ease movements of more than 300,000 pedestrians in and out of Mombasa Island.

"The bridge is an important infrastructure project that will enable citizens of Mombasa to cross over the Likoni channel without hindrances. It will benefit the economy of the coast region," said Kenyatta.

James Macharia, cabinet secretary for Transport and Infrastructure, said the bridge, which has a 150-meter movable section in the middle of the Indian Ocean to allow for opening, closing and movement of ships in and out of Mombasa port, will revolutionize mobility in the coast region.

"The bridge is one of a kind not just in the country but across the region. It will have a huge impact in Mombasa Island by ensuring the movement of pedestrians is smooth," said Macharia.

He said that only pedestrians will use the floating bridge while the ferry will be set aside for transporting vehicles at the busy Likoni channel.

Athman Juma, a trader, hailed the construction of a floating bridge saying it will put a stop to traffic gridlocks endured by small business owners and workers operating between Mombasa Island and neighboring Kwale County.

"At least now we are no longer dealing with heavy traffic congestion at the ferry now that the floating bridge is open to pedestrians. It is easier to walk to work," said Athman.

Harrison Kyama, a resident of Mombasa's Likoni area, said that pedestrians sighed with relief upon commissioning of the floating bridge after months of grappling with erratic ferry transport service.

"We thank the government for this bridge that has ensured that crossing the Likoni channel is convenient at any time of the day. We now arrive at our workstations on time," said Kyama.

Evans Lumumba, an office worker, said the floating bridge has made pedestrians enjoy walking to work and boost their immunity amid COVID-19 risks.