The Ministry of Public Works has unveiled an expansive road and bridge construction program targeting 13 counties, with Public Works Minister Roland Layefette Giddings declaring that Liberia is on the verge of a major infrastructure construction boom.
Appearing before the Executive Budget Hearing on Monday, October 5, 2026, Minister Giddings said government is deploying significant resources toward road rehabilitation, bridge construction and the opening of new transportation corridors, with activities expected to intensify during the dry season.
“The entire country will be turning into a construction site in the next two months,” Giddings told budget stakeholders as he outlined the Ministry’s 2026 execution and infrastructure priorities for the 2027 budget year.
Minister Giddings also said several major road projects are already underway with support from the African Development Bank and other financing arrangements, while the government continues to provide direct budgetary support to sustain critical works.
Among the projects highlighted was the Ganta–Tapata corridor, where Giddings said two bridges have been completed and are expected to be dedicated in December. He said the project’s allocated budget has been fully utilized.
Giddings disclosed that government provided an initial US$4 million to jump-start another project following Liberia’s withdrawal from an arrangement with the European Investment Bank. The project, he said, is expected to be completed by December, subject to continued financing and disbursements.
On the RIA corridor, the Minister said government has disbursed US$5 million, with construction continuing despite difficulties caused by the rainy season. He said pavement works and other intensive activities are expected to accelerate once the dry season begins.
“Works are on the road,” Giddings told the hearing, emphasizing that construction already underway will gain momentum as weather conditions improve.
The Minister also reported progress under the government’s community road program, revealing that approximately US$1 million has been invested in the first phase, covering seven communities through graveling, lane cross-drains and other structural interventions designed to prepare roads for future paving.
According to Giddings, the first phase of the program is approximately 90 percent complete, while preparations are underway for a second phase involving several contractors. Beyond major highways, the government is also preparing an aggressive city-street rehabilitation program, including pavement works in Kakata and other county capitals.
Giddings disclosed that procurement challenges delayed some of the interventions but expressed optimism that contractors would soon be mobilized for large-scale works across 13 counties, excluding Cape Mount and Bomi, where road interventions are expected to be implemented through concession arrangements.
The Minister also reported progress on the Robertsport corridor, saying construction has reached approximately 36 percent on a 12.5-kilometer section, while government is pursuing arrangements for an additional 30 kilometers.
In the Monrovia area, Giddings said government is opening new road connections, including a corridor linking SKD Boulevard through Pako Island and Peace Island toward Monrovia.
He said government intends to continue investing in the corridor, including a proposed connection around the Roberts International Airport area that could create an alternative route into Monrovia and reduce dependence on existing major corridors.
On bridge infrastructure, Giddings said the St. Paul Bridge project has reached approximately 67 percent completion, with government seeking to make substantial progress before the next rainy season.
He also disclosed progress on a major bridge intended to connect Bopolu and Bomi, describing the structure as approximately 850 feet long, with its central piers already completed.
However, the Public Works Minister raised concerns over illegal mining, sand mining and other activities that he said are threatening roads and bridges across the country.
He said the Ministry is working with the Ministry of Mines and Energy to address the problem and protect newly constructed infrastructures from activities that could compromise its durability.
Furthermore, Giddings announced renewed efforts to accelerate construction along southeastern road corridors, particularly the connection from Tabata toward Fishtown and Greenville.
According to the Minister, three contractors have already mobilized for sections of the corridor, while procurement is underway for another section. He said government expects the remaining gap to be addressed by the second quarter of next year. The broader objective, he said, is to strengthen road connectivity between Monrovia and southeastern Liberia, improving access to Greenville and other communities across the region.
Another major project on the government’s infrastructure pipeline is the Barclayville–Greenville corridor, where Giddings said government plans to pave an initial 50 kilometers under existing financing while seeking additional funding for another 46 kilometers.
He said the contractor for the first section has already mobilized, while efforts continue to secure financing for the remaining portion. With multiple road, bridge and urban street projects either underway or in preparation, Giddings said the government expects infrastructure activities to expand significantly in the months ahead.
