Dr Julius Maada Bio, President of Republic of Sierra Leone, makes a speech at the inauguration ceremony of Mattru Jong–Senehun Bridge.
Mattru Jong–Senehun Bridge.
A significant milestone was reached on July 4 with the completion of Mattru Jong–Senehun Bridge, constructed by POWERCHINA.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by President Bio, who also participated in the opening ceremony of the project.
President Bio praised POWERCHINA's contributions to Sierra Leone's infrastructure development, highlighting their exceptional coordination skills and professional construction standards.
"Sincere thanks to the builders from POWERCHINA," President Bio said in his speech. "Your professionalism, dedication, and outstanding technology have transformed this magnificent bridge from a blueprint into reality. You are not just builders; you are witnesses and promoters of the friendship between Sierra Leone and China."
An elder village chief expressed heartfelt gratitude, saying, "This bridge fulfills the dreams of many generations. In the past, we risked our lives crossing the river by canoe, and sadly, several villagers lost their lives each year. Now, families on both sides can reunite at any time. The builders from POWERCHINA have used their wisdom and hard work to construct a bridge to a better life for us."
The bridge spans the Jong River in southwestern Sierra Leone and serves as a crucial lifeline connecting several surrounding villages and towns. It features a continuous structure with a reinforced concrete main body, a maximum span of 40 meters, and a design speed of 60 kilometers per hour.
The bridge is 161.5 meters long and 11.7 meters wide, accommodating a single two-way lane and pedestrian sidewalks. The substructure consists of column piers and drilled rock-socketed pile foundations, while the superstructure is a composite section of two I-beam steel girders and precast concrete deck panels.
This bridge is expected to enhance regional economic and social integration, improve local transportation conditions, facilitate resident mobility and goods transportation, and promote connectivity and development in agriculture, commerce, and education.
