The government of Liberia has officially broke ground for the China-aid Overpass Bridges project in Monrovia on September 2, 2025. The $40 million project, funded by a grant from the Chinese government, will construct two overhead bridges along Tubman Boulevard to ease traffic congestion in the capital.
Project details
The two overpasses will be built at the ELWA Junction and the Samuel Kanyon Doe (SKD) Boulevard/Ministerial Complex intersection in Congo Town.
The project aims to improve urban road conditions, reduce travel time, and enhance safety and efficiency on one of Monrovia’s busiest corridors.
Funding and partnership:
The project is fully funded by the Chinese government as a grant, not a loan.
The China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) is the contractor, and is exoected to last from September 2025 to November 2024,
Demolition work for site preparation began early 2025 an will continue up to 2027 as the Construction is anticipated to take 24 months.
Impact on traffic
On Tuesday, September 2, the Ministry of Public Works (MPW) issued a traffic advisory to the public, warning of significant traffic disruptions during the groundbreaking ceremony and throughout the construction period. The Liberia National Police (LNP) is working with the MPW and CRBC to manage traffic flow.
Groundbreaking ceremony
The event was attended by Liberian officials, including President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, and Chinese Ambassador Yin Chengwu. President Boakai praised the project, stating that it will fundamentally change how Liberians “travel, trade, and live”.
Indians In Liberia Celebrate
Here’s the quick history of the planned overpass (“overhead”) interchanges in Congo Town:
Who initiated it?
The project was initiated under President George Manneh Weah. During his meeting with President Xi Jinping on September 1, 2018, China committed a grant (reported US$54 million) to build two overpass bridges: one by the Ministerial Complex (Congo Town/Tubman Blvd.) and one at SKD/72nd Blvd. Junction (Paynesville).
Government-to-government steps (2018–2021):
Aug–Sept 2018: Liberia and China reached agreement in principle on funding during the FOCAC meetings in Beijing.
2019: Liberia’s Foreign Ministry confirmed the plan for two overhead bridges in the Congo Town corridor to cut congestion.
June 8, 2021: Liberia’s Ministry of Public Works and China signed an Implementation Agreement to construct the two overpass bridges.
Preparation & RAP (2022–2024):
Sept 2022: Government launched Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) compensation for affected people and businesses along the corridors, reiterating the US$54M Chinese grant.
2024: Public Works updated that the projects (Ministerial Complex & SKD/72nd) would move forward; site clearance/demolition notices were issued.
Designs & start of works (2025):
July 2025: Government released official designs, stating construction would begin September 2025 to ease traffic on Tubman Blvd. and SKD Blvd.
