It has taken nearly four years, but the new Constructed Du-River bridge in Margibi County is finally open to drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians.
After years of construction and reroutes for people using all modes, The new Du-River bridge replaces the damage one destroy by loading truck, back in 2017.
“This bridge is declared open,” Acting Public Works Minister, Ruth Coker-Collins said Monday afternoon as the first vehicles made their way across the new Du-River Bridge in Margibi County.
Collins in remark, cutting the ribbon lauded the President of Liberia, H. E. George Mannah Weah and the Management of Firestone Liberia for the prompt intervention which culminated into the reconstruction of the damaged Du River Bridge.
She thanked the ironworkers, Jupiter Construction Company- Liberian own- engineers that reconstructed the bridge for their laborers, skill, sweat and dedication.”that led to the opening of the Bridge.
“We were face a challenge of this damage bridge and our responsibility was to it reconstruction to have free moving of our people to avoid their suffering, said Rep. Tibelrosa Tarponweh.
The Margibi County District #1 Representative reflect on the difficulties of his people using canoes to cross over the river to carryout their daily activities. Something he said posses threats to lives and would have cause drowning.
Rep. Tibelrosa Tarponweh recalled a year ago when a canoe capsize on the river put almost 30 lives at risk, but due to a life jackie, no life was lost.
He added the new Du- bridge had reawakens livelihood of his people.
The Du-River Bridge damage in June 2017, when a loading truck with crushed rocks, collapsed had make life difficult for people living in the Firestone plantation. Movement of people commute to the Firestone-run Du Side Hospital on a daily basis, where halted due to the than damage Du- River Bridge.
Speaking in remark, the General Manager of Firestone Liberia, Don Darden expressed satisfaction, and said that the MOU signed by both parties [ GOL and Firestone ] on August 8, 2019 is a good example of government and private sector partnership aimed at benefiting the lives of Liberians and the country’s economy.
Darden, said the newly reconstructed Bridge, which he had hope for will now, make life easy for people living within the Firestone plantation and for workers to have easy route to their daily activities.
The Firestone General Manager appreciated the Government of Liberia for their long-lasting partnership with Firestone Liberia and said the Rubber Company remain committed to working with the GOL to improve livelihood of Liberian.
Clarence Wilson, Assistant Public Works Minister for Supervision, put the aggregate cost of the reconstructed Du-River Bridge project at USD 1.5 Million Dollars which was funded through a 60-40% Cost Sharing between the Government of Liberia and Firestone Liberia.
He said the New Du River Bailey Bridge has a two-lane carriageway of 24ft, a length of 160ft, a lifespan of 80 years, a pedestrian walkway, and it links the 15 Gate to Firestone Plantation; thereby serving as a major passageway linking the Kakata-Gbarnga Highway and Cotton Tree – Buchanan Highway.
Meanwhile, It can be recalled that the Du River Bridge collapsed in June 2017 as a consequence of heavily loaded trucks transporting materials for the Roberts International Airport Runway Project.
Now, the opening of the Bridge will ease movement of peoples living in the Bondiway, 15 Gates communities on the out sketch of Harbel, will now free movement. Margibi County Legislative Caucus, Traditional Leaders, Student Groupings, amongst others, witness the opening and turning over ceremony of the Du-River Bridge.
Comments are closed.