Sh1.7-billion Tana bridge set for completion in four months, says official

JACOB SONGOK-KNA

The long-awaited Sh1.7 billion Tana Bridge is set to be completed and ready for commissioning within the next four months.

North Eastern Regional Commissioner John Otieno, who led the Regional Project Implementation Monitoring and Communication Committee on an inspection tour of the mega project alongside representatives from the Presidential Delivery Unit (PDU), said the team was impressed by the contractor’s progress to date.

The new bridge, spanning approximately 150 metres and valued at Sh1.77 billion, is a key infrastructure project designed to ease congestion and accommodate the growing volume of traffic into and out of the region.

According to the Regional Commissioner, the project was initially expected to be completed by next week, but minor challenges prompted the contractor to request an extension.

“Due to some minor challenges, the contractor has sought for an extension of four months, which is currently under review. We therefore expect this project to be completed and commissioned within the next four months,” Otieno said.

“This is a game changer. It is a very modern bridge As you are aware, we have been using a bridge that has been here for quite some time,” he added.

The Regional Commissioner said that the bridge whose lifespan is 100 years, is a ‘transformative investment for the region’ that would significantly improve connectivity of the region to the rest of the country. 

The new bridge will be dedicated to vehicles while the adjacent old one will be used by pedestrians, bodaboda riders and livestock.

The Regional Commissioner highlighted key other major infrastructure projects being undertaken by the national government among them the Lamu Port, South Sudan, Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor where 68 kilometres of the road section has been already paved.

“When this road is complete, it will open up the region and make it easier for goods from Lamu port to pass through to neighbouring countries of South Sudan and Ethiopia,” he said.

On his part, Duncan Mwereri, the Regional Head of the Government Delivery Unit in the Office of the President, said the Tana Bridge was among the key flagship projects under President William Ruto’s administration.

“There are many projects being implemented in this region, especially those touching on the livelihoods of the local mwananchi,” Mwereri said.

He added that one of the core pillars of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda being prioritised in the region was the development of feedlots to support the livestock economy.