Buchanan, Grand Bassa County – May 22, 2025: ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) has officially handed over a refurbished overhead bridge, known as the “Kilometer 2.5 Bridge,” to the government and people of Grand Bassa County, marking the completion of a major infrastructure rehabilitation project in Buchanan City.
The bridge connects AML’s port infrastructure to the main commercial center of Buchanan. It is essential not only to AML’s mining operations but also to nearby communities, logging companies, and the general public.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, AML’s Head of Sustainability & External Affairs, Marcus Wleh, described the bridge as a vital public access point that benefits not only ArcelorMittal but also other companies and road users transporting goods through the area.
The bridge, which runs above AML’s railroad used to transport iron ore from Mount Tokadeh to the Port of Buchanan, serves as a critical economic and transportation corridor.
The rehabilitation followed years of growing concern over the bridge’s structural integrity. In 2018, AML raised alarms about visible cracks on the bridge piers and notified the government. A joint inspection by engineers from the Ministry of Public Works and AML’s technical team confirmed the structure was at risk of collapse, prompting urgent discussions with the County Superintendent’s office and national authorities.
With the government unable to secure immediate funding for repairs, AML stepped in. In 2019, the company hired an independent consultant to assess the full extent of the damage. The assessment revealed further structural deterioration and confirmed an imminent danger to motorists, pedestrians, and mining operations.
In response, AML proposed a set of urgent actions, including rerouting traffic, conducting public safety awareness, temporarily reinforcing the bridge, and designing a long-term solution. These measures paved the way for a full rehabilitation effort.
In 2023, AML contracted AFCONS, a specialist construction firm, to carry out the repairs. The $700,000 refurbishment project was completed in February 2024 and has now been officially turned over for public use.
Local authorities have welcomed the reopening of the bridge, describing it as a critical development for safe and efficient transport in Buchanan and surrounding areas.
Grand Bassa County Development Officer and Acting Superintendent, James W. Duen, praised AML for the bridge rehabilitation and appealed for the construction of an additional bridge to fully complete the corridor.
AML reaffirmed its commitment to supporting national infrastructure development and working closely with government and community stakeholders to address shared challenges.
