Getting there

The Lungi bridge proposal

Last checked 24 October 2026 · 6 sources

Short answer

There is no bridge between Freetown International Airport at Lungi and Freetown. A bridge has been proposed since 2018 ^1,2. Stated costs have ranged from US$1 billion in 2018 to US$3 billion, US$1.2 billion and US$1.5 billion in later years ^2,3⁴. A memorandum with China Road and Bridge Corporation and the Atepa Group was announced in December 2023 ⁴. Dubawa reported in August 2025 that no construction had started and that a later memorandum named Acrow Corporation ⁵. The project is proposed, not under construction.

Status: Proposed. No construction as of August 2025, per Dubawa ⁵
Route: Freetown to Lungi across the estuary ^1,4
Latest stated cost: US$1.5 billion, December 2023 ⁴
Companies named: PowerChina 2018, CRBC and Atepa Group 2023, Acrow 2025 ^1,4⁵
Length: 5 miles in a December 2023 report, 7 to 8 km in the 2018 campaign pledge described by Dubawa ^4,5
Parliament: No ratified bridge agreement found ^3,4

Status today

A bridge exists only as a proposal ⁵. Dubawa reported on 3 August 2025 that no construction had started, that no timeline had been disclosed and that the government's upfront contribution had not been made public ⁵.

Dubawa reported that Presidential Spokesperson Alpha Kanu said on 6 August 2024 that the bridge was not on the current agenda, citing low traffic and cost ⁵. In September 2024, Deputy Information Minister Abdel Aziz Bawoh called it an aspiration and said talks with private investors continued, Dubawa reported ⁵.

Timeline of the proposal

Date	Event
31 August 2018 ¹	President Bio meets PowerChina in Beijing, which says it is interested in building the bridge with off balance sheet financing ¹
9 October 2018 ²	Mamamah airport project closed. The report puts the bridge at an estimated US$1 billion, and a State House source says the government is seeking private partners ²
18 May 2021 ³	President Bio tells Parliament the cost is cut to US$1.2 billion after review of a cable stayed design, a pre-feasibility study is done and a developer is identified ³
1 December 2023 ^4,5	Memorandum with China Road and Bridge Corporation and the Atepa Group, estimated at US$1.5 billion ^4,5. Completion targeted for 2027, as reported by the Sierra Leone Telegraph ⁴
6 August 2024 ⁵	Presidential spokesperson says the bridge is not on the current agenda ⁵
Mid 2025 ⁵	Memorandum for a build, own, operate and transfer model with Acrow Corporation, a US engineering firm, as reported by Dubawa ⁵

Cost estimates differ

Official and reported figures have changed over time ^2,3^4,5. They are listed with the date each was given.

2018: US$1.5 billion in President Bio's campaign pledge, as described by Dubawa ⁵
October 2018: about US$1 billion, an estimate given by the Sierra Leone Telegraph ²
2020: a US$3 billion forecast, as reported by the Sierra Leone Telegraph in 2021 ³
May 2021: US$1.2 billion, per the President's address to Parliament ³
December 2023: US$1.5 billion, per government officials ⁴

Financing and approval

In 2018 PowerChina proposed off balance sheet financing, which the then Finance Minister said would not create government debt, State House said ¹. In May 2021 the President said work would start once Parliament ratified the arrangement ³. In December 2023 critics said Parliament had not discussed or approved the memorandum and its contents had not been published, as reported by the Sierra Leone Telegraph ⁴. No ratified bridge agreement was found for this page.

What this means for travellers

The new terminal opened at Lungi in March 2023 ⁶. At its opening in March 2023, President Bio said Lungi should remain the country's international gateway ⁶. The ferry, water taxi and road pages on this site cover the crossings in use today.

Common questions

Is there a bridge from Lungi airport to Freetown?

No. A bridge has been proposed since 2018, and Dubawa reported in August 2025 that construction had not started ^1,5.

How much will the Lungi bridge cost?

The latest figure found is US$1.5 billion, given by officials in December 2023 ⁴. Earlier estimates ranged from US$1 billion to US$3 billion ^2,3.

Who will build the Lungi bridge?

No builder has a ratified contract. China Road and Bridge Corporation and the Atepa Group signed a memorandum in 2023, and Acrow Corporation one in 2025, as reported ^4,5.

When will the Lungi bridge open?

No date is set. A 2027 completion target was given in 2023, but no timeline had been disclosed by August 2025 ^4,5.

Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email hello@sierraleoneairportguide.com.

Sources

Lungi to Freetown by water taxi and ferry
Water taxi and ferry options across the estuary between Freetown International Airport at Lungi and Freetown, with operators, times and dated fares.
Lungi to Freetown by road
Driving between Freetown International Airport at Lungi and Freetown: journey time, road works, safety advice and the proposed bridge.
The new terminal at Freetown International Airport, Lungi
Facts on the Lungi terminal opened on 3 March 2023: the Summa build, operate and transfer deal, cost, concession term and what was built.
Arriving at Freetown International Airport
What to expect on arrival at Freetown International Airport at Lungi: visa on arrival or eVisa, yellow fever proof, customs, fees and transfer to Freetown.