The critical artery connecting the port city to the hinterland is nearing a transformation, with Phase One virtually complete and Phase Two racing against a 2026 deadline.

For decades, the drive from Mombasa to Mariakani has been a test of patience, defined by gridlock and dust. That era is rapidly drawing to a close. The government has issued a fresh status report on the expansion of the A109 highway, confirming that the multi-billion shilling project is entering its final lap. The dual-carriageway is not just a road; it is the jugular vein of the Northern Corridor, feeding goods from Kilindini Harbour to Uganda, Rwanda, and the DRC.

The upgrade is split into two massive lots. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-23)Lot 1, covering the Mombasa to Kwa Jomvu section, has been a complex engineering feat involving three new interchanges and concrete pavement. The government confirms this section is now virtually fully operational, significantly easing the exit from the island. The focus now shifts entirely to the hinterland stretch.

Phase Two: The Race to Finish

The spotlight is on Lot 2, the 30.4-kilometer stretch from Kwa Jomvu to Mariakani. Funded by the European Investment Bank and KfW at a cost of KES 10.4 billion (approx. $80m), this phase is transforming the existing two-lane road into a four-lane dual carriageway. As of the latest KeNHA review, the project is aggressive in its timeline, with a completion target set for later this year.

This section is critical because it handles the heavy trucking load that bypasses the city. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-25)The project includes:

• Climbing Lanes: Essential for heavy trucks navigating the coastal inclines.
• Truck Parking: Formalized zones to clear the roadside chaos.
• Community Safety: Pedestrian footbridges and non-motorized transport lanes.

Economic Impact

"The upgraded highway is expected to serve as a critical trade and logistics lifeline," the update notes. By reducing transit times, the cost of doing business in East Africa drops. A truck that saves two hours on this stretch contributes to lower shelf prices in Kampala and Kigali. As the tarmac cures and the lane markings go down, the Mombasa-Mariakani highway stands as a concrete testament to Kenya’s infrastructural ambition. The bottlenecks of the past are being paved over, four lanes at a time.