By Janet Mumgbay Zizer
Freetown, 18th March 2026 -Bike riders, drivers, and pedestrians using the Newcastle Street bridge off Blackhall Road at Kissy have raised fresh concerns over its deplorable state, urging authorities to repair the cracked portion nearly two years after the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) barricaded the structure.
Mohamed Alie Fofanah, popularly known as Pa Alhaji, an elder in the community and a building materials seller, said the closure has severely affected his business. Customers, he explained, now struggle to transport materials to their homes because vehicles can no longer access the bridge. He also warned of safety risks, noting that some motorbike riders still attempt to cross the damaged structure despite the barricades. “This is very dangerous and could lead to a serious accident,” he cautioned.
Resident Isatu Jalloh, whose house sits directly in front of the bridge, recalled how vehicles frequently used the road before the collapse. Since then, she said, conditions have worsened, especially during the rainy season when the area becomes hazardous and difficult to cross. She added that school‑going children are particularly at risk, while businesses in the community continue to suffer from reduced access.
Motorbike rider John Kamara, who regularly travels between Texaco and Newcastle Street, expressed frustration over the disruption. Riders, he explained, are now forced to take longer routes through Shell to reach Texaco, increasing costs for passengers. “The bridge made the journey shorter and faster. Now our work has become more difficult,” Kamara said.
At a nearby car wash, Ibrahim Bangura reported a decline in business since the closure, noting that fewer vehicles and motorbikes pass through the area. Elderly residents, he added, have been especially affected, as the bridge once served as a vital access point.
Another rider, Alpha B. Kargbo, raised security concerns, claiming the abandoned site has become a gathering point for individuals who target unsuspecting commuters at night. Residents and commuters are now calling on the government to urgently repair the bridge, describing it as a lifeline for the community.
The bridge reportedly collapsed in December 2024 and was immediately barricaded by the SLRA. Despite repeated media coverage and appeals from residents, the structure remains unrepaired. Eyewitnesses believe the damage was caused by repeated use of the road by a heavy tipper truck transporting granite.
When contacted at their headquarters at PWD Junction in Kissy, an SLRA official told Truth Media that the Director General was unavailable but would respond next week.
