After weeks of construction work to address critical structural damage, the full rehabilitation of the Afobaka roadway near Paranam has been finalized, but the key thoroughfare will remain closed to all vehicle and pedestrian traffic for at least several more days, Suriname’s Roads Authority announced this week.
According to the official statement released on September 4, the infrastructure agency projects that the vital regional traffic connection will reopen to public use no later than five days from the announcement, and urged travelers to plan alternate routes and respect the ongoing closure order through this period.
The comprehensive rehabilitation project was launched after large sections of the road’s asphalt surface developed dangerous deformations and sinkages. Roads Authority officials noted that the structural damage was partially caused by years of sustained heavy traffic loads that far exceeded the road’s original design capacity, gradually wearing down the pavement and subbase.
Unlike traditional road reconstruction that removes and discards all existing materials, the project used an innovative upcycling approach to rebuild the roadway. This method reprocessed and reused nearly all of the existing road material to reinforce the overall road structure, cutting down on construction waste and extending the new roadway’s projected service life significantly.
Officials emphasized that the overhaul was not only intended to improve the smoothness and drivability of the road. The project also aims to boost overall traffic safety for all users and strengthen consistent access to communities and commercial hubs across the region.
Even though all physical construction work has been wrapped up, the Roads Authority stressed that the route remains unsafe for public use ahead of its official opening. The agency issued a clear warning to all road users: comply with posted traffic restrictions and on-site guidance from construction personnel, and do not enter the Afobakaweg until it has been formally cleared for public access.