By James T. Brooks
MONROVIA, Liberia – In a move aimed at significantly reducing traffic congestion and improving road safety, President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr. has broken ground for the construction of two overpass bridges on Tubman Boulevard. The bridges, a key part of his administration’s infrastructure agenda, will be located near the Ministerial Complex and at the intersection with SKD Boulevard in Congo Town.
“These are practical solutions to reduce congestion, improve road safety, and prevent the economic losses our people face every day due to traffic delays,” President Boakai said at the groundbreaking ceremony on Tuesday. He emphasized that the delays affect the delivery of goods and services as well as the critical movement of ambulances and fire trucks.
The President described the ceremony as a significant milestone, highlighting the government’s priority of infrastructure investment to drive economic growth. He stated that building roads and bridges connects communities, provides access to agricultural and mining regions, shortens distances, and lowers costs. He added that once completed, the bridges will be a “visible sign of our government keeping its promises to improve the efficiency of our road network.”
President Boakai noted that this undertaking is a core component of the country’s national development plan, the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID). At the heart of the AAID, he said, is the recognition that road infrastructure is fundamental to inclusive growth. “Roads connect people to opportunities and are essential to ending rural neglect,” he explained. “By investing in modern road systems, we are building the foundation for a unified, accessible, and prosperous Liberia.”
The President expressed the Government of Liberia’s deep gratitude to the People’s Republic of China for its ongoing generosity and partnership in supporting Liberia’s economic transformation. He praised the cooperation between the two countries for focusing on tangible projects that align with the national development agenda.
President Boakai also extended his gratitude to the Ministry of Public Works for their “careful preparation, technical diligence, and coordination.” He noted that the project will create two modern, grade-separated intersections that will remove bottlenecks that have constrained mobility for years along one of the capital’s busiest routes.
The President outlined numerous benefits the project will provide to the Liberian people:
Fewer conflicts between vehicles and pedestrians, leading to a decrease in crashes and injuries.
Enhanced logistics for traders, schools, clinics, and small businesses along the corridor.
Reduced travel time during peak hours.
Improved traffic regulation and efficiency for public transportation.
