MONROVIA – The Ministry of Public Works has issued a stern warning to travelers heading to Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County, over a critical road failure at the Duogee Town swampy section, following days of vehicles being trapped and the corridor becoming nearly impassable.
The affected section, located approximately 20 kilometers from Toe Town, has deteriorated significantly due to persistent rainfall and oversaturated soil conditions, leaving commercial drivers, commuters, and businesses stranded for days along one of Liberia's key southeastern highways.
In a public notice issued Wednesday, October 21, 2026, the Ministry disclosed that the damaged stretch spans about 100 meters and is composed of saturated, unstable earth that can no longer support heavy loads. The Ministry confirmed that there is currently no alternative bypass route around the affected area.
"The Ministry of Public Works informs the general public, particularly travelers en route to Zwedru, that the road section at Duogee Town, about 20 kilometers from Toe Town, is critically damaged," the statement said.
According to reports from the area, several heavy-duty trucks loaded with goods, along with passenger vehicles, have been stuck in the swampy section for multiple days, causing huge delays, spoilage of perishable goods, and skyrocketing transportation fares for commuters traveling between Grand Gedeh and other parts of the southeast.
Local residents told reporters that the Duogee Town swamp has been a perennial challenge during the rainy season, but this year's situation has worsened due to continuous downpours and increased heavy truck traffic.
The Ministry said its team of engineers and maintenance crew are already on-site and working around the clock to stabilize the road and restore full passage.
"Our engineers are on the ground undertaking emergency stabilization works to restore the road in the shortest possible time," the Ministry assured.
In the interim, the Ministry announced temporary traffic measures to manage the situation and prevent a complete collapse of the roadbed.
Light vehicles are still allowed to pass through the affected 100-meter section, though with extreme caution, the Ministry said. However, operators of heavy-duty trucks and other large commercial vehicles have been advised to drastically reduce their loads.
"All operators of heavy-duty vehicles are advised to reduce their gross vehicle load to a maximum of 20 tons while our team works to stabilize the section," the notice stated.
The Ministry explained that reducing the load is critical to preventing further sinking and to allow its equipment to compact and reinforce the saturated earth.
The Ministry has apologized for the inconvenience caused to travelers, traders, and residents who depend on the route for their daily activities and movement of essential supplies.
It assured the public that every effort is being made to restore the road to normalcy as quickly as possible and called on motorists to cooperate with engineers and flagmen on site.
The Toe Town to Zwedru corridor is a vital economic link for Grand Gedeh County and the entire southeastern region, serving as a major route for the transportation of food, building materials, and other commercial goods.
Travelers are being urged to exercise patience, observe all safety instructions, and avoid overloading their vehicles while the emergency works continue.
The Ministry said it will issue further updates as progress is made on the stabilization works.