Excavation Activities Trigger Safety Concerns
By Maimunatu Bah
Serious concerns have been raised by residents and motorists over ongoing excavation and stone removal works along sections of the Regent–Grafton Bypass Road, with warnings that the activity could cause long-term damage to one of Freetown’s most important transport corridors.
According to reports from the area, large stones are being extracted from hillsides bordering the road, while loose soil and debris are being left dangerously close to the edges of the bypass.
With the rainy season approaching, residents fear the disturbed terrain could lead to erosion, weakening the surrounding slopes and potentially compromising the structural integrity of the road.
Road users say the situation is particularly alarming because the bypass has become a critical link connecting the Western Area to the Eastern parts of Freetown, while also serving as a major route for travel to the provinces.
Since its construction, the Regent–Grafton Bypass Road has significantly eased traffic congestion by offering commuters a faster alternative to the city’s heavily congested main roads.
It is also widely used by motorists seeking quicker access in and out of the capital.
The road is additionally known to be frequently used by senior government officials, including the President, due to its efficiency and reduced travel time compared to other major routes.
Residents now fear that any damage to the bypass could have widespread consequences, including worsening traffic congestion, increased travel time, higher transport costs, and renewed gridlock across Freetown.
They also warn that repairing major damage would place a heavy financial burden on government resources.
Questions are now being raised over the level of monitoring and enforcement by the Sierra Leone Roads Authority (SLRA), the Road Maintenance Fund Administration, and other relevant bodies responsible for protecting national road infrastructure.
Citizens and motorists are calling for urgent intervention from the Ministry of Works and all responsible agencies to immediately inspect the affected areas and halt any activity that could threaten the safety and durability of the road.
They further urge stricter enforcement measures to prevent activities that endanger public infrastructure, warning that delays in action could lead to avoidable and costly damage to a road considered vital to national mobility and economic activity in Freetown and beyond.
