Liberia: Japan Opens Contractor Bids for US$35.5 Million Freeway Road Extension

Monrovia, March 5, 2026 – The Government of Japan has officially launched a contractor bidding process in Tokyo for the proposed extension of the Japan Freeway Project in Liberia. According to Liberia’s Ministry of Information (MOI), the extension is estimated to cost US$35.5 million and aims to alleviate chronic flooding and enhance traffic flow along one of Monrovia’s busiest corridors.

The Deputy Minister for Technical Services at Liberia’s Ministry of Public Works, Prince Tambah, is currently in Tokyo participating as an official observer. His presence ensures that Liberia’s interests are represented as contract negotiations advance.

Recently, the Liberian government formally requested Japan to extend the Japan Freeway Project to cover the 1.9-kilometer stretch between Freeport and Gabriel Tucker Bridge. The planned works will involve full realignment of the road, elevation of the carriageway, and installation of advanced drainage and stormwater management systems to address persistent flooding in the area.

If approved, Japan’s grant financing will support the rehabilitation and modernization of the key roadway linking the Freeport of Monrovia to Gabriel Tucker Bridge. The Ministry of Information added that while in Japan, Deputy Minister Tambah will also meet with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to follow up on Liberia’s request from the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD-9) held in Yokohama in August 2025. This request seeks Japanese support for constructing a new parallel bridge alongside the existing Gabriel Tucker Bridge.

Government estimates put the total cost of the broader infrastructure package—including the parallel bridge, elevation works, and the Johnson/Broad Street overpass—at approximately US$35.5 million. Officials are optimistic that the project will significantly improve mobility and flood resilience in Liberia’s capital.