In Lebanon, where years of crisis and economic strain have disrupted livelihoods, roads are more than transport corridors, they are pathways to recovery. The Roads and Employment Project has helped the country restore its vital road network while creating jobs and supporting agriculture and tourism activities.
Lebanon’s road network has significantly deteriorated due to years of neglect, the economic and financial crisis which has further delayed critical investments and repairs, and increased pressure from the influx of Syrian refugees on public services and jobs. About 1/3 of the country’s main road network extending over 6,500 km is in moderate to poor condition and in urgent need of repair. In 2019, 578 road crash fatalities were reported nationwide.
Launched in 2017, the Roads and Employment project (REP) is a US$200 million project co-financed by the World Bank (US$154.6 million loan) and a US$45.4 million grant from the Global Concessional Financing Facility. The project aimed to restore critical paved roads across the country and create short-term jobs for Lebanese citizens and displaced Syrians. By linking infrastructure investment to job creation, the project aimed to address both immediate employment needs and longer-term development goals.
The REP covered a broad swath of Lebanon’s road network across 25 districts, focusing on both rehabilitation and routine maintenance. Upgrades included improved drainage systems and slope stabilization, vital for reducing the risks posed by flooding and landslides during Lebanon’s harsh winters.
Recognizing the impact of climate change and severe weather, the project has also equipped regional offices of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport with essential emergency response machinery—10 snow blowers, 15 wheel loaders, and 5 salt spreaders. These resources have strengthened the capacity to respond to snowstorms and other road emergencies in areas prone to heavy snowfall.
By mid-2025, the impact of the REP is evident across Lebanon. More than 530 kilometers of roads have been rehabilitated—exceeding the original target of 500 km—and around 1,000 km have been maintained. These improvements have reduced travel times, enhanced connectivity, and, most importantly, made roads safer for millions of users. Key routes upgraded through the project have seen crash fatalities drop by more than 20 percent, testament to the effectiveness of better signage and road safety interventions.
The ripple effects are far-reaching: approximately 1.4 million people have benefited from easier access to essential services, markets, and employment. Further jobs are expected to be created under the government road maintenance program.
As for job creation, the project has generated approximately 1.3 million labor-days of short-term employment for both Lebanese and Syrian workers. These jobs span consulting and construction roles, reaching deep into local communities. The project has provided opportunities to a diverse workforce, including older citizens who have found renewed purpose and income through participation.
The REP has pioneered an innovative approach to stakeholder feedback by launching an online platform, designed by IMPACT Lebanon, that enables citizens and project workers to report issues and share feedback throughout implementation. Accessible via QR codes displayed at municipalities, on project signboards, and at active worksites, the platform has fostered transparency and accountability, ensuring that local voices are heard and acted upon.
Collaboration with municipalities has been central to the project’s success. The project’s transparent approach to citizen feedback and coordination with municipalities has fostered trust and collaboration. Municipal officials have praised the open communication between contractors, consultants, and local government, highlighting the rehabilitation of once-dangerous roads and the long-awaited support for their communities.
Beyond physical upgrades, the project has provided technical support for a national road safety program, laying the groundwork for sustained improvements in road safety management.
The project has also reached beyond roads. To address COVID-19-related planting and harvesting delays, the REP provided 26,687 small scale farmers with cash assistance for the procurement of essential inputs to enable continued agricultural production. It also delivered 1.5 million animal vaccine doses for the annual vaccination program of the Ministry of Agriculture. By connecting rural communities to markets and services, the initiative strengthened food security and rural livelihoods.
The Roads and Employment Project has helped restore vital arteries, connect communities and support livelihoods. The project offers a blueprint for recovery—one built on the foundations of connectivity, job creation, and resilience. Each kilometer of rehabilitated road is more than a strip of asphalt; it’s a pathway to opportunity, linking farmers to markets, children to schools, and families to essential services.
