Monrovia, Liberia – Crossing the St. John River between Grand Bassa, Bong, and Nimba Counties was a daily struggle that tested bravery and claimed lives for almost thirty years. Instead of serving as a crucial connection, it turned into a hazardous route that required locals to risk everything in order to relocate from one county to another.
Farmers, traders, motorcyclists, students, and senior folks all had unpleasant recollections of the crumbling bridge. One bike rider recalled that the elderly people never cross at all. It was only for young people, and even then, it was quite risky.
Samuel Zeopugar, another local, commented on how everyday life around the bridge was characterized by anxiety and dissatisfaction. “Ask anyone in this entire St. John if you think I’m lying. Individuals from Compound #3, Buchanan, Nimba, and other locations spent hours here crossing their belongings one by one.”
Thousands of Liberians now have economic connectivity, safety, and dignity after ArcelorMittal Liberia (AML) finished the St. John Access Road Bridge’s entire reconstruction and rehabilitation a few weeks ago. Cars, pedestrians, and motorcyclists can now easily cross the recently restored bridge owing to its eye-catching yellow and black paint job.
It is safely crossed by scores of ArcelorMittal train wagons. A dedicated pedestrian walkway is another feature of the building that offers occupants an additional degree of security. ArcelorMittal Liberia representatives, lawmakers, local officials from Grand Bassa and Bong Counties, and community leaders attended the bridge’s formal dedication ceremony at Fendell Diggs Town (Kilometer 94) on Friday, December 10, 2025.
The St. John Bridge, which was first built in 1960 by the Liberian American Mining Company (LAMCO), was intended to serve as a vital connection between the interior of Liberia and the coastal port city of Buchanan by joining Bong County and Grand Bassa County.
However, the bridge experienced significant deterioration over time as a result of poor maintenance, which was made worse by the civil war. The bridge had become infamously dangerous by the end of the fighting, with reports of serious structural flaws, near-collapse incidents, deadly collisions, and property damage.
Even though the project was not required by its Mineral growth Agreement, ArcelorMittal Liberia voluntarily undertook the bridge’s full renovation because it recognized the bridge’s significance to community life and regional growth.
Julius Saywala, Superintendent of Sub-Structure Maintenance at ArcelorMittal Liberia, spoke at the dedication ceremony and stated that the St. John Access Road Bridge’s completion demonstrates the company’s commitment to working on projects that enhance the quality of life for communities within its service areas.
Officially, rehabilitation work started on July 1, 2025. In order to restore the 240-meter bridge, a team of 50 locals, 20 technicians, and eight engineers from ArcelorMittal Liberia worked through challenging rainy season conditions. Saywala claims that in order to mitigate the risks involved in working at heights, over water, and in inclement weather, the team used premium safety materials.
800 bridge sleepers were replaced, high steel beams had to be inserted and welded, timber running boards were installed, the bridge’s rigidity had to be strengthened, road guards and pedestrian walkways had to be built, and reinforced concrete pavement had to be built at both ends.
At the event, local leaders commended ArcelorMittal Liberia for its dedication to finishing the project and acknowledged the outstanding work of the engineers and laborers who enabled the repair. Superintendent Hawa Norris of Grand Bassa County, as well as Representatives Alfred Quennah and Alfred Flomo, were among those in attendance.
Community Relations Manager Vaani Kiazolu, speaking on behalf of ArcelorMittal Liberia’s CEO, expressed gratitude to the local community for their cooperation during the rehabilitation process, pointing out that the project would not have been possible without their help.
Additionally, he thanked President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for creating an atmosphere that enables private sector partners to make significant contributions to the growth of the country. Kiazolu emphasized that everyone owns the bridge and urged locals to share responsibility for its upkeep. He said, “This bridge is for all of us. Now, how we keep it is the most crucial factor. This was not required by the MDA.”
He emphasized that ArcelorMittal Liberia carried out the renovation to further show its dedication to community development outside of mining activities and its outstanding corporate citizenship.
Farmers can now move produce more easily, dealers can move goods safely, students can travel fearlessly, and communities that were previously split apart by danger are reunited thanks to the St. John Bridge’s restoration. The bridge is more than just steel and concrete to the residents of Grand Bassa, Bong, and Nimba Counties; it is a revitalized lifeline. It is a potent representation of cooperation, accountability, and mutual advancement for ArcelorMittal Liberia.
