Safety Concerns Force Immediate Shutdown of Old Railway Line Bridge
Drivers and commuters in the capital must adjust their daily routines starting Saturday, August 1, 2026, following the official closure of the Old Railway Line Bridge in Brookfields. The Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA) announced the emergency measure late Thursday after a structural assessment revealed critical safety risks.
According to the SLRA, the decision follows a thorough inspection by structural experts who identified significant wear and tear on the bridge’s primary supporting elements. Fearing the aging infrastructure could no longer handle the weight of daily traffic, officials moved to close the crossing immediately to prevent potential accidents.
"The safety of the public is our absolute priority," an SLRA spokesperson stated. "Our engineering teams have determined that the current condition of the bridge poses an unacceptable risk to motorists and pedestrians alike."
The bridge will remain inaccessible until engineers complete a comprehensive evaluation to determine if extensive repairs or a total reconstruction is required. In the interim, commuters are urged to utilize secondary routes through Brookfields and neighboring districts.
To assist with the transition, officers from the Sierra Leone Police and the Sierra Leone Road Safety Authority (SLRSA) will be deployed at key junctions to manage traffic flow and enforce the diversion.
While acknowledging that the closure will likely cause significant delays, the SLRA has asked for the public's patience as they work to restore the city's infrastructure.
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