Announcement of World Bank Provides Twenty-Seven Million Five Hundred Thousand US Dollars for Third Highway Project in Liberia on August 25, 1975

•World Bank 1818 H Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20433, U.S.A. • Telephone: (202) 393-63'00 Bank News Release No. 75/82 August 25 , 1975 WORLD BANK PROVIDES $27.5 FOR THIRD HIGHWAY PROJECT IN LIBERIA The World Bank has approved a $27.5 million loan to help finance a third highway project in Liberia. The project, with a total cost of $46. 4 million, aims at improving the transport infrastructure of Liberia, presently a major constraint to the development of the country. The project includes the construction of a two lane bridge, with an extension of 1,400 feet, across the Mesurado River and upgrading of United Nations Drive (5.4 miles) in Monrovia; the construction and realignment of the Totota-Ganta Road (83 miles) and a three year program for construction and improvement of about 150 miles of feeder roads in the Lofa County. The project also includes technical assistance to the Mi.nistry of Public Works' Planning Division, consulting services, feasibility • studies for the improvement of two other roads, detailed engineering for the Mount Coffee Dam road and a study of Monrovia's urban development and transport system. The construction of the Totota-Ganta road and Lofa County feeder roads will provide or improve key sections of the rural transport system and, in the process, help open up the agricultural heartland of the country. The construction of the Mesurado River Bridge and the improvement of the United Nations Drive will ease access to the port of Monrovia, making a significant contribution to more efficient commerce. It is expected that the technical assistance to the Ministry of Public Works will help cc,nsolidate the institution building effort in sectorial management and highwey planning started under a previous Bank-assisted highw9¥ project and that the urban study of Monrovia will help establish the framework for an efficient transport and land use program for the capital of Liberia. The World Bank loan to Liberia is for 25 years, including five years of grace, with interest at 8 1/2% per annum. Note: Money figures are expressed in US dollar equivalents • •  T E C 1I N 1 C A L DAT A ========= PkOJECT: COUNTRY: Third Highwey Project Liberia $46. 4 million • TOTAL COST: IBRD FINANCING: $27.5 million, 25 years, including five years of grace with interest at 8 1/2% per annum. OTHER FINANCING: African Development Bank: $6 million; Government of Liberia: $12.9 million IMPLEMENTING ORGANIZATION: Ministry of Public Works, Monrovia, Liberia. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The project includes the following components: a) construction of a two-lane bridge (1,400 feet) across the Mesurado River in Monrovia); b) up- • grading of United Nations Drive (5,.4 miles) in Monrovia; c) construction and realignment of the Totota-Ganta Road (83 miles); d) a three year program for construction and improvement of about 150 miles of feeder roads; e) technical assistance to the Ministry of Public Works' Planning Division; f) consulting services for:i) construction supervision of i terns a) , b) and c) ; ii) feasibility studies for improvement of the raads Ganta- Tapeta (65 miles) and Ga.nta-Sanniquellie (25 miles); iii) detailed engineering for the Mount Coffee Dam Road (15 miles); and iv) a study of Monrovia's urban development and transport system. PROCUREMENT: Construction contracts for major works will be awarded following international competitive bidding. In addition, the project provides for the purchase of equipment. operating costs and spare parts totaling an estimated $1.3 million, $1.0 million of which will be procured on the basis of international competitive bidding. Specifications will be prepared by the Ministry of Public Works and reviewed with Bank, and bids will he P-VR.1w:,t.Pr1 nn the basis of c.i.f. costs (Monrovia). CONSULTANTS: Consultants services will be financed under the loan to assist the new planning unit in the Ministry of Public Works, and to supervise construction of major works as well as to undertake fee.si bili ty studies for 90 miles of road. ECONOMIC RATE OF RETURN: ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: 23% 1979 •