The ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the 444-kilometer coastal highway linking Buchanan, Grand Bassa County to Grand Kru County, takes place next Saturday, July 22 in Buchanan.
Public Works Minister, Ruth Coker-Collins, told the media in Monrovia that the African Development Bank (AfDB) has made available an initial US$50 million of the US$430 million estimated cost for the project, the selection of the bidder has been done and the procurement process is ongoing.
She said the contractors are already on the road carrying out maintenance work, including the construction of bridges on creeks and rivers ahead of the formal ground breaking ceremony, perhaps by the President, who, report states, is expected in Buchanan this Saturday, July 15 to commission many development projects in Grand Bassa County, but this is yet to be independently verified.
Coker-Collins stated, among other things, that the project is being delayed because of the rainy season, during which time construction works are halted and there is nothing the government can do about it.
Earlier this week, Liberia and AfDB forged a partnership, following months of discussions for the start of the project which, when completed, shall propel economic growth and development.
According to a briefing note, this crucial infrastructural project aims to mitigate, or possibly eradicate, the transit challenges faced by the Southeastern region of the country, an issue that has plagued its residents for over two hundred years.
It added that the first phase, known as LOT-1, will encompass the construction of a 56-kilometer stretch from Buchanan, Grand Bassa County to the junction in Cestos, Rivercess County.
This significant segment of the coastal highway project carries an estimated cost of US$54 million, testament to the commitment of both the government and the AfDB to fuel sustainable development.
The entire corridor is about 444 kilometers long and estimated at US$430 million. Believing the coastal highway a top priority initiative, the government has underscored the potential to drive economic growth and enhance crucial infrastructural networks across the nation.
Connecting the Southeastern region to vital economic centers and promoting regional integration with Ivory Coast, the project has the potential to usher in a new era of progress and prosperity for the country.
