Sierra Leone bridge tender opening

Sierra Leone is opening the tender process for a major bridge project that will connect capital Freetown with its international airport. Building the bridge is expected to cost up to US$2 billion. The project will be handled under the PPP model and will be offered as a 35-year concession package, with the winner able to charge tolls to use the route. Several international firms have already expressed an interest in this ambitious project.

At present the most direct connection between Freetown and the nearby Lungi International Airport for the majority of travellers heading to and from Sierra Leone is by using ferries across the Tagrin Bay. Some more affluent travellers use helicopters. However the new tolled bridge will provide a direct route between the city and the airport.

Building the bridge is expected to take up to six years and the structure will have to have a design life of 120 years. The bridge will have to measure up to 7km in length. One end of the bridge is likely to be built close to the current ferry terminal at Tagrin, with the other connecting with Bal Bureh Road.