Tokyo, March 5, 2026 — Liberia has moved a step closer to transforming one of Monrovia’s most congested road corridors as negotiations advance in Tokyo for a US$35.5 million expansion of the Japan Freeway Project.
Deputy Minister for Technical Services Prince Tambah, representing the Ministry of Public Works, is leading Liberia’s delegation in discussions over the Freeport–Gabriel Tucker Bridge corridor upgrade. The project targets a 1.9-kilometer stretch of road connecting Freeport to central Monrovia — a critical artery often disrupted by flooding and heavy traffic.
Under the proposed plan, the project will feature road realignment and elevation, an improved drainage and stormwater network, and measures to address long-standing flooding issues that have hampered economic activity in the capital.
While in Japan, Tambah is also engaging with officials of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to push Liberia’s proposal for constructing a 450-foot parallel bridge beside the existing Gabriel Tucker Bridge. This initiative — first introduced at TICAD-9 in Yokohama in August 2025 — also calls for elevating the current structure and building a grade-separated overpass linking Johnson Street and Broad Street to improve both traffic safety and urban connectivity.
According to the Ministry, the broader infrastructure package aims to bolster Monrovia’s transport resilience, reduce congestion, and strengthen economic efficiency by eliminating a major traffic bottleneck. The plan underscores Liberia’s commitment to modern urban infrastructure and its growing partnership with Japan in the area of public works.
Public reaction to the news has been largely positive on social media. Commenters praised the government’s push for long-term solutions, with one user, Eric George, calling the development “visionary” and reflective of “a leader thinking about the country’s future.” Others, like Edwin Fahnbulleh, welcomed the plan but urged policymakers to consider a new bridge connecting 12th Street to Kezelee Boulevard to further ease pressure on the existing network.
Meanwhile, Florence Bokar called for unity, writing, “Let’s be happy for Liberia! It’s time to move beyond political divides and celebrate progress for all.”
As discussions continue in Tokyo, Liberia’s infrastructure ambitions appear poised to gain momentum — one bridge at a time.
