Infrastructure: Fresh insights into proposed $2.2bn Lagos Fourth Mainland Bridge

*The Lagos State Government intensifies efforts at managing the traffic congestion situation in the metropolis as the government is about to activate the construction of the $2.2billion Fourth Mainland Bridge for the socio-economic benefits of Lagosians and Nigerians at large

Emmanuel Akosile | ConsumerConnect

The Lagos State Government (LASG) has intensified efforts at actualising the construction of the new 37-kilometre Fourth Mainland Bridge for socio-economic benefits of Lagosians in particular and Nigerians at large.

Lagos is home to several inhabitants, including Nigerians and foreigners.

As a true reflection of being the epicenter of commercial activities in the West African country, most major and minor roads in Lagos are congested, The Nation report said.

As the government exists to create an enabling environment, inhabitants are also struggling to survive and thrive in their respective businesses across the metropolis.

Photo collage of the proposed Lagos 4th Maninland Bridge    Credit: The Nation

However, in a move to manage the traffic congestion situation, the Lagos State Government (LASG) is about to begin the construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge in the state.

The proposed road infrastructure, like the existing bridges, is expected to connect the state’s two distinct areas — the Island and the Mainland.

More so, the new bridge is designed to ease pressure on the three existing bridges between Lagos Island and the Mainland — the Carter, Eko and Third Mainland bridges.

Environmental and social impact of proposed bridge

It is recalled that the Lagos State Government recently met with stakeholders to assess the possible environmental and social impact of constructing the Fourth Mainland Bridge.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State is expected to announce the preferred project  builders “before the end of 2022, most likely on or before December 24,” report noted.

It was learnt that the huge road infrastructure project had gone through the competitive bidding process, comprising the Request for Proposal Stage I and the Request has been shortlisted for the RFP Stage II.

Announcement of preferred bidder(s)

They are Mota-Engil (Nigeria & Africa) CCCC & CRBC consort; CGGC-CGC Joint Venture and CCECC & CRCCIG Consortium.

By April, the preferred bidder will move to site and commence construction, according to report.

Socio-economic benefits of project to Nigerians

The new fourth mainland bridge is at the centre of the synergy of traffic.

There are eight roads aligned to the bridge, according to LASG.

This bridge will make it easy and convenient for people to connect.

The bridge is expected to span about 37 kilometres, starting from Abraham Adesanya, at Ajah, in the Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe corridor and transverse from the North-West towards the lagoon shoreline of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway via Owutu/Isawo in Ikorodu.

Mr. Kayode Oluwagbuyi, Environmental and Social Safeguard Consultant to 4th Mainland Bridge Project, said the journey from Island to mainland would no longer be three to four hours.

Oluwagbuyi said: “We expect that the journey will be just 30 minutes.”

In actualising the project, report stated that an uncertain number of homes and other buildings, mainly in informal settlements and shanties along the Lagos coastline, would be demolished and terms of compensation agreed with the affected residents.

On completion, the bridge is expected to become the second-longest bridge in Africa, featuring three toll plazas, nine interchanges, 4.5 km Lagoon Bridge, an eco-friendly environment, and other added features.

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