Barrow inspects Kotu Bridge, Sukuta-Jabang Overpass, says 90% complete

The Sukuta-Jabang Overpass, implemented under Phase 3 of the Bertil Harding Highway Project, is 90% complete, with all major structural works finalised. According to the National Roads Authority (NRA), the overpass will ease traffic congestion, enhance connectivity and drive economic growth along the corridor. The NRA said contractor Arezki S.A is expected to commence application of waterproofing material on the bridge deck on Tuesday, a process scheduled to take about one week. Installation of handrails is also progressing and is expected to be completed by Friday, 25 September 2026. Remaining works, including streetlighting, road signage and painting, are scheduled for completion by the end of November 2026. Speaking at the site, President Barrow said the overpass was a deliberate response to public complaints about congestion at the Sukuta-Jabang roundabout. “We are out today to inspect these two ongoing projects. This one is part of the OIC project. We did the first phase and the second phase. This is part of the third phase. We built this road to ease traffic, especially within the Greater Banjul Area, so that it will be our main highway, basically the face of The Gambia,” Barrow said. He said after completing the first two phases of the Bertil Harding Highway, the government observed that the Sukuta-Jabang roundabout remained the most congested point. “Even if you drive the whole way from Banjul, you will spend more time here than the duration you drive from Banjul to here,” he said. Barrow said the decision to build an overpass was not easy but necessary because the projects are social projects meant to impact lives. “All the comments on this road, the negative comments were all directed to this Sukuta-Jabang roundabout. Because of that, the government, we are very good listener. We listen to our people and we want to do what the people want,” he said. “We are representing the Gambian people and this is taxpayers’ money. So even if it is taxpayers’ money, it should be well spent. So that is why we took a bold decision to have an overpass on this roundabout.” The President said he was impressed with progress, noting the contractor is on target and the roundabout could be opened to traffic by end of October. “So far, I’m very impressed because they are on target. This roundabout is almost 90% complete. And according to the contractor, it can be opened for traffic by the end of October,” he said. He described the structure as durable, with a guarantee of over 100 years, calling it a legacy project. President Barrow also inspected the BB Hotel Bridge in Kotu, financed directly by central government through taxpayers’ money. According to the NRA, the hydraulic structure itself is 55% complete, while overall project progress stands at 35.35%. Work is ongoing on sheet piling for the remaining pier and abutment walls to facilitate excavation, pile-head trimming and construction of pile caps. Barrow said the area is strategically important for tourism and commerce. “This is a very important area in The Gambia. Basically, it is a tourism area. When you talk about tourism, you are talking about commercial business. And when commercial activities are going on, they always contribute to our welfare, to our economy and create jobs,” he said. He said the previous bridge alignment was unsafe and the new bridge will be shorter, safer and stronger, also with a 100-year guarantee. “These are legacy projects. We will all go and leave these projects behind. We are not building for today, but we are building for the future,” he said. He apologised for traffic disruptions during construction, saying development sometimes comes with challenges. According to the NRA and the President, the Kotu BB Bridge is expected to be accessible to commuters by end of October to November 2026.