HARBEL, MARGIBI COUNTY:

Scores of residents who hail from both Lower and Upper Margibi County on Monday, December 6, 2021 turned out to witness the historic Turning Over Ceremony of the Reconstructed Du River Bailey Bridge in Harbel, outside the Nation's Capital, Monrovia. 
The Event also brought together other Stakeholders including Authorities of the Ministry of Public Works, the Management and Staff of Firestone Liberia, Margibi County Legislative Caucus, Traditional Leaders, Student Groupings, amongst others. 
Representing the Government of Liberia was the Acting Public Works Minister, Ruth Coker-Collins who proxied on behalf of the Minister of State for Presidential Affairs, Nathaniel Mcgill. 
The Acting Public Works Official lauded the President of Liberia, H. E. George Mannah Weah and the Management of Firestone Liberia for the prompt intervention which culminated into the reconstruction of the damaged Du River Bridge. 
For his part, the General Manager of Firestone Liberia, Don Darden expressed satisfaction, and said that the MOU signed by both parties [ GOL and Firestone ] on August 8, 2019 is a good example of government and private sector partnership aimed at benefiting the lives of Liberians and the country's economy. 
Also speaking, Assistant Public Works Minister for Supervision, Clarence Wilson put the aggregate  cost of the project at USD 1.5 Million Dollars which was funded through a 60-40% Cost Sharing between the Government of Liberia and Firestone Liberia. 
The New Du River Bailey Bridge has a two-lane carriageway of 24ft, a length of 160ft, a lifespan of 80 years, a pedestrian walkway, and it links the 15 Gate to Firestone Plantation; thereby serving as a major passageway linking the Kakata-Gbarnga Highway and Cotton Tree - Buchanan Highway.
It can be recalled that the Du River Bridge collapsed in 2017 as a consequence of heavily loaded trucks transporting materials for the Roberts International Airport Runway Project. 
While the Bridge remained in a dilapidating state, many residents including Students of the state-run Fendall Campus and those seeking medical attention at Doza Hospital suffered excruciating hardship, as many resorted to commute by canoes ride. 
Meanwhile, the Dedication is expected anytime soon, thats according to Minister Coker-Collins who said that the President, being passionate about the completion of the project, has vowed to commission the New Du River Bailey Bridge that was constructed by a purely - Liberian owned Construction Company, Jupiter Construction. 
The Manufacturer is ACROW from the United States of America.