By Makutu Manneh
The government of The Gambia is considering a major overhaul of traffic infrastructure in the urban corridor, including the construction of a dual-carriage roadway with a railway line along Kairaba Avenue and a new bridge at Westfield, according to the transport minister.
Speaking on the state broadcaster Gambia Radio and Television Services, the Minister of Transport, Works, and Infrastructure, Ebrima Sillah, said his ministry has begun planning for the proposed project, which would transform one of the country’s busiest urban corridors.
The plan envisions expanding Kairaba Avenue into a dual carriageway with a railway line running through the median. The project would also include designated parking areas, with one section operating as a paid parking facility and another reserved for commercial activities, as well as improved pedestrian infrastructure.
Officials are also studying the construction of a bridge at the congested Westfield Junction, a key intersection that connects major routes in the Kanifing Municipality.
Mr. Sillah said the ministry is examining additional traffic management measures, including the installation of traffic lights at several high-traffic points. These include the area near the Pipeline Mosque and the junction by Africell along Kairaba Avenue.
Authorities are also considering placing traffic signals at two or three locations along the OIC Highway.
Beyond infrastructure upgrades, Mr. Sillah raised concerns about road safety and driver training in the country. He said many motorists have not received adequate instruction and stressed the importance of understanding traffic rules and road signs.
“Driving on the road is like raising a family,” he said. “There are rules and regulations that must be followed.”
The government is also reviewing the institutional arrangement for issuing driver’s licenses. Currently, the police are responsible for both issuing licenses and enforcing traffic regulations, a system the minister suggested may be reconsidered.
Proposed reforms could introduce stricter oversight measures, including annual vehicle inspections and regular driver checks before vehicles are allowed to operate on public roads, Mr. Sillah said.
The projects remain at the planning stage, and officials have not announced a timeline or cost for the proposed infrastructure works.
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