MONROVIA – As part of its bi-monthly inspection of road construction works on the Roberts International Highway implemented by a Liberian-owned construction company, EAST International, the Ministry of Public Works assures Liberians of ensuring value for money.
By Henry Karmo [email protected]
The statement comes in the wake of some public suggestions that the company EAST International is unable to build quality and long-lasting roads, especially given the speed of work being carried out in recent days since the end of the October 2023 elections.
Mr. Amos Barclay, Deputy Public Works Minister for Technical Services, and his team of engineers told journalists on Friday that the road will have a 20-year durability before the need for any maintenance.
Amos Barclay, Deputy Public Works Minister: “Everything related to the sciences is being applied on this road. That is why we have consultants on the project to ensure we have value for money and that minimum requirements in terms of standards are met.”
He also told journalists that the asphalt pavement laid between ELWA and Thinkers is the first layer, and there will be a second layer, ensuring that the road is built to carry the maximum load.
Currently, the contractors are working to lay asphalt pavement from two directions: from the ELWA junction toward RIA and from the RIA toward Monrovia. The 20-kilometer road is being divided ten on both sides towards the ELWA Junction and from the RIA.
The framework calls for the project to be executed in three lots, including:
From Roberts International Airport to Junk River Bridge.
From Junk River Bridge to ELWA junction.
The construction of the Junk River Bridge and the upgrading of the existing bridge.
The civil works, including the actual construction of the road project, are valued at US$80 million; design and supervision costs are valued at US$7 million, and the management and resettlement action plan is valued at US$7.5 million,” Madam Kialain explained. “The length of the road is 45 km or 27.8 miles.
The design of the road takes into consideration many factors, including population density, social activities, and topography, which led the highway into different sections. The new road, when completed, will have a toll location, which is the Junk River Bridge.”
The RIA Road is a project that is long overdue due to the safety hazards presented by its narrowness and darkness. The RIA Highway has been a death trap since it was built in the 1940s, during World War Two. In the 70 years of its existence, it has claimed the lives of thousands of unfortunate passengers, both Liberians and foreigners alike.