By Verity Staff Reporter
Residents across western Liberia have welcomed the start of the US$363.9 million Western Road Corridor project, describing it as a major relief for communities that have struggled for years with poor road conditions.
The project under President Joseph Boakai is expected to improve road connectivity between Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, and Gbarpolu counties, while also linking parts of western Liberia to neighboring Sierra Leone.
For many residents, the announcement has sparked relief and excitement after years of difficulty transporting goods, especially during the rainy season when roads often become nearly impassable.
“We have suffered for many years because of bad roads. Bringing our produce to Monrovia has always been a challenge,” a resident of Bomi County said.
Another resident expressed strong appreciation for the project, saying, “President Boakai is like Jesus to us, because he has remembered us. He is our savior.”
In Grand Cape Mount County, traders say the road could significantly reduce transport costs and make it easier to move goods to Monrovia and other major markets.
A market woman there said bad roads have long made business difficult. “Sometimes the transport costs are higher than the goods we are carrying. If this road is fixed, it will help us a lot,” she said.
Drivers who regularly use the corridor also say they expect less damage to their vehicles once the road is fully rehabilitated.
In Gbarpolu County, residents say poor road access has left many communities isolated, limiting access to healthcare, schools, and basic supplies.
Local transport operators have welcomed the project, saying it could reduce travel time and lower maintenance costs that have increased due to the poor road network.
Government officials have described the Western Road Corridor as part of a broader plan to improve infrastructure and open up rural areas for economic growth.
They say the project is also expected to strengthen trade links between Liberia and Sierra Leone and improve movement of agricultural goods from the interior.
While construction is still ongoing, residents along the corridor say they are watching closely and hoping the project will be completed on schedule and bring lasting change to their daily lives.
