In continuation of the US government's assistance to the Republic of Liberia through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a landmark major bridge construction project has been completed in Grand Kru County.

The United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) managed the project and directly implemented the works, with cooperation from the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).

The bridge, named in honor of American President George W. Bush, owes credit to the people of Grand Kru, who worked tirelessly to ensure completion under difficult circumstances and extreme conditions in this remote area of the country.

The large engineering project required one year and US$1.3 million, created jobs for a core of 100 full-time team and hundreds of part-time laborers. These include vulnerable groups of war-affected persons, disabled and former fighters from Grand Kru, Maryland, and Sinoe Counties of Southeastern Liberia.

Construction of a bridge over the River Nuh had been unsuccessfully attempted twice in the 1970's. The current project required mobilization of 118 metric tons of steel bridge structure by sea and over land through the rainy season over "impassable" roads. Over 90 tons of cement, timber and reinforcing steel were delivered by air with the assistance of UNMIL MI-26 helicopters.

The sizeable structure provides a direct link from Grand Kru's remote capital of Barclayville across the river to the village of Topo, to Maryland Country and the rest of Liberia, creating access for humanitarian agencies and government to improve economic vitality, restore basic services and enhance rule of law, while also allowing isolated inhabitants of the area a link to broader society, markets, sources of food and health care.

Professional support and collaboration with the Ministries of Public Works, Land, Mines and Energy and National Port Authority contributed to this historic project.

UNOPS will appeal to government and donors to invest in critically needed rehabilitation works on the 103km stretch of road between Harper in Maryland County, and Barclayville, in Grand Kru County.

Project Manager Zac Bennett of UNOPS said, "I am proud of the project team and believe that Liberia can progress confidently toward rebuilding its shattered infrastructure if the same determination is displayed on future projects."

The bridge is one of the first major infrastructure projects successfully completed within the first 90 days of the newly- elected government of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.