Lungi Bridge

The Lungi Bridge Project is a proposed major infrastructure project in the West African country of Sierra Leone.[1][2] The 7km long bridge will link the Lungi area to Freetown, passing over the estuary of the Sierra Leone River.

Lungi International Airport is located at Lungi. Transit between Freetown and Lungi Airport currently requires a boat journey or a road trip that can take 3 hours.

The project was announced by President Julius Maada Bio. Its projected cost is $2bn, making it the country's largest infrastructure project.

History

Lungi International Airport was originally constructed as a base for the British Royal Air Force and was subsequently converted for civilian use. Lungi Airport is the country's only international airport. The difficulty with travelling between the airport and Freetown had always been a problem with various boats from canoes, government ferry and fast boats used to cross the estuary. In the past, helicopters, a hovercraft and light aircraft (to Hastings airfield) were used to pass over the Sierra Leone River estuary.

The previous government of Ernest Bai Koroma had proposed the new Mamamah International Airport, located near Songo Village, Koya Chiefdom in Port Loko District. The project was subsequently cancelled by President Julius Maada Bios government.[3]

References
  1. "Sierra Leone president opens bids for 7 km airport bridge". Reuters. 19 June 2019. Retrieved 2019-07-20 – via uk.reuters.com.
  2. "Sierra Leone to build US $2bn Freetown-Lungi bridge".
  3. "Mamamah airport: Sierra Leone cancels China-funded project". BBC News.

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