The Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) has announced the restoration of traffic along the Mtwapa-Kilifi Road which was cut off by the ongoing heavy rains.
Kenya National Highways Authority in a tweet on Sunday, November 26 noted that the road section is now open to traffic.
“The Kenya National Highways Authority informs the public that restoration works are complete at the Mbogolo Bridge along the Mtwapa – Kilifi (A7) Road,” read statement in part.
Notably, the road was rendered impassable by KeNHA on November 25, 2023, after floods resulting from the heavy rains currently experienced in various parts of the country cut off a bridge connecting Mtwapa to Mombasa.
Consequently, the closure of the road resulted into heavy traffic in the area.
“KeNHA informs the public that Mbogolo Bridge on Mtwapa – Kilifi (A7) Road has been cut off. The cut of this bridge disrupts traffic to and from Mombasa,” stated KENHA.
Also Read: KeNHA Issues Advisory After Closure of Major Road
A video shared by the Kenya National Highways Authority showed a broken section of the bridge rendering the A7 corridor linking the two towns of Kilifi and Mtwapa inaccessible.
On the other hand, the Saturday incident which left motorists stranded was later resolved by KeNHA following a directive on alternative routes as it deployed its engineers on site to work on restoration.
“Motorists are advised to use an alternative route of Mombasa-Mazeras-Kaloleni -Mavueni-Kilifi Road. Currently, a new bridge is being constructed in this area as part of the Kwa Kadzengo-Kilifi Road Project,” stated KENHA.
Roads Swept Away by Floods
Similarly, as the ongoing heavy rains pound various parts the country several roads have been rendered impressable with a number of bridges reported cut off.
Kilifi region has experienced disruption of traffic due to flooding two times in the month of November.
Further, the authority issued an advisory on 17th November over an overtopping at Kwa Kadzengo swamp area in Kilifi County, about 7 kilometers from Mtwapa towards Kilifi rendering the road impassable.
Also Read: TRAFFIC ALERT: Key Roads to be Closed in Nairobi for 2 Days
Meanwhile the restoration of Mtwapa – Kilifi section of the A7 road comes four days after the Thika-Garissa route (A3) was closed after a portion of the road was damaged by floods.
According to KeNHA the right-hand side of the road at Arer area, 41Km from Bangali town, had been washed away by floods which overwhelmed adjacent box culverts following heavy rains.