Gbarnga–Salayea Road Upgrade (81km)
Design & Supervision — Gbarnga–Salayea Road Rehabilitation, Bong & Lofa Counties
Ministry of Public Works — Liberia
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Year
2021
Client
Ministry of Public Works, Liberia
Funding
European Union
Length
~80 km
Year
2020
Objectives & Context
The road linking Gbarnga — Liberia's second largest city and the capital of Bong County — to Salayea in Lofa County is a critical inter-county route serving communities engaged in agriculture and trade across a rich forested corridor. The route had deteriorated to a condition where it was accessible only by 4x4 vehicles during dry season and completely impassable in wet season, isolating over 150,000 people from markets, healthcare, and administrative services. The terrain, characterised by rolling lateritic hills, deeply incised stream crossings, and expansive areas of black cotton soil, demanded careful geotechnical design to prevent pavement failures recurring after rehabilitation.
Our Approach & Solution
TSC Global delivered detailed engineering design and full-time construction supervision for the Gbarnga–Salayea road. Design incorporated comprehensive geotechnical investigation, with special treatment specifications for expansive soil sections including lime stabilisation and subbase replacement. Drainage design prioritised resilience to projected climate change impacts on rainfall intensity, with oversized culverts and improved roadside drainage channels. Community consultation ensured that roadside market facilities and pedestrian access were incorporated into the design. Supervision maintained an independent materials testing laboratory on-site throughout construction.
Results & Impact
The 80 km road was rehabilitated to gravel standard with bituminous surface treatment on the highest-traffic sections, restoring year-round access between Bong and Lofa counties. Agricultural produce transport costs fell by over 50%, enabling farmers to access markets in Gbarnga and Monrovia more reliably. The project was completed on time and within budget, with no significant environmental incidents recorded.
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