Louis Berger, a global professional services corporation, has signed a five-year project management contract financed by local funds for the construction of the first segment of the Yaoundé-Douala highway in Cameroon, the company said on Thursday. The total construction value of the project is almost €7million.

The road segment will connect Cameroon’s government and diplomatic hub in Yaoundé to the country’s economic center and deep water port in Douala.

The current road between these cities is extremely congested and is one of the deadliest roads in the Central African region, characterized by its many curves, changes in road grade, poor maintenance and heavy truck traffic, including logging semi-tractor trailers.

The improvements will result into a straighter 2-lane road motorway, safer and of better quality.

The new 236-kilometer highway will lead to reduced travel time and will hopefully have a positive impact on the international transportation because Cameroon is a key transit country for the landlocked countries of Central Africa said Jean-Pierre Dupacq, head of Louis Berger’s operations in Africa.