By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara

Residents and commuters in Freetown are raising urgent concerns over the crumbling state of the old railway line bridge at St. John, warning that the structure could collapse without immediate intervention.

Once part of Sierra Leone’s colonial-era railway network, the bridge has served as a vital connector for motorists and pedestrians since the railway was decommissioned in 1974. But today, its weakened foundations, rusted supports, and widening cracks pose a growing danger to thousands of daily users.

This bridge is no longer fit for use, every day we cross here, we are putting our lives at risk,” said one frequent commuter.

Experts describe the bridge as “a preventable disaster in the making,” cautioning that constant strain from heavy traffic could trigger a collapse.

Civic groups and community leaders are urging the government to act swiftly, stressing that failure to rehabilitate or replace the bridge could result in loss of lives and further strain on Freetown’s already overburdened transport system.

Beyond its practical use, the bridge stands as one of the last surviving relics of Sierra Leone’s early 20th-century railway system, however, decades of neglect and exposure to the elements have left it fragile; its cultural value now overshadowed by urgent safety concerns.

Residents insist the time for warnings has passed, without decisive action, they fear the bridge could soon become the site of a national tragedy.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday,25th August 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)