Major traffic congestion is expected today around the Ministerial Complex area in Congo Town as Liberia officially breaks ground for the much-anticipated China-Aid Overpass Bridges Project, the Ministry of Public Works has warned.
The ceremony, set to take place this morning on Tubman Boulevard, will mark the beginning of construction on a project that government officials have described as a “historic milestone” in Liberia’s infrastructure development.
In a statement issued Monday, the Ministry cautioned motorists, commuters, and residents to brace for heavy delays and possible diversions. “The public is kindly asked to exercise patience and follow all traffic advisories as we officially launch the China-Aid Overpass Project,” the Ministry said.
The groundbreaking event is expected to attract senior government officials, diplomats, representatives of the People’s Republic of China, and development partners, leading to tighter security and restricted movement along one of Monrovia’s busiest traffic corridors.
Public Works further noted that traffic personnel and law enforcement officers will be deployed to manage congestion and guide vehicles. “Motorists should plan their movements accordingly as Tubman Boulevard, especially near the Ministerial Complex, will experience limited access during the launch,” the release emphasized.
Residents and business owners in the area have expressed mixed feelings—some welcoming the project’s long-term benefits, while others worry about daily disruptions. “This is good for Liberia because our roads need improvement,” said Emmanuel Johnson, a shop owner in Congo Town. “But the traffic here is already bad. If they don’t manage it well, business people like us will suffer during construction.”
Commuters who rely on Tubman Boulevard are already bracing for the impact. “Every morning it takes me almost an hour to pass this area. With this new project, I don’t know how we will survive the traffic,” lamented Mary Kamara, a resident of Paynesville.
The China-Aid Overpass Bridges Project, funded by the Government of the People’s Republic of China, is expected to significantly ease congestion in Monrovia once completed. According to Public Works officials, the project will provide critical alternative routes and modernize road infrastructure that has long been a bottleneck for commuters and businesses alike.
“This groundbreaking is not just the start of construction; it is the beginning of transforming Liberia’s urban transport landscape,” a Ministry spokesperson declared. “We ask the public to endure short-term inconveniences for long-term gains.”
Meanwhile, commercial drivers have appealed to the government to ensure that alternative routes remain passable and free from unnecessary blockages. “If they block Tubman Boulevard and forget about the small roads in the communities, passengers will suffer and we will lose money,” warned Yellow Taxi driver Patrick Kollie.
In 2021, China Railway in collaboration with the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) signed a contractual agreement for the construction of two overhead bridges around the Samuel Kanyon Doe Boulevard through the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town and ELWA Junction to Red-light.
However, squatters and residents of the area are expressing disappointment in the government’s latest action to demolish their properties.
A local barber, Edmund Kerkulah, lost his shop and described the action as unfair.
According to him, the government did not compensate him, saying, “At least the government should have given us something to start with despite informing us that we should leave. But nothing of such was done; we only saw the machine this morning, and they started destroying our hustle area.”
“Where do I start from? For me, I will have to look for different areas to put in my barbing shop. What about others who have nowhere to go?” Kerkulah asks.
Another squatter, Hawa Kanneh, who sells rubber dishes by the road, expresses disappointment in the latest demolition exercise.
The historic demolition of structures commenced between the ELWA JUNCTION towards MUSU’S SPOT in Congo Town.
Benjamin Myers, the Director of Communication at the Ministry of Public Works, describes the exercise as a milestone for Liberia.
He indicates that the demolition is geared towards clearing the right-of-way for the construction of the two overpass bridges, with funding from the People’s Republic of China, while applauding China for the level of support to the Government and People of Liberia over the years.
