Imagine a Lagos without the Third Mainland Bridge. You are likely to say it is an impossible scenario based on the inflammable traffic and other socio-economic hassles its absence would spark. Indeed, the song that would seize the air would be Fela’s ‘Confusion breki bone’.
But did you know that as historic, engaging and impactful the Third Mainland Bridge is, it is ‘just’ 11.8 kilometres long. Now, imagine just waking up tomorrow and finding out that a similar monument, but about four times the size of the Third Mainland, has been added to the fortunes of Lagos. How relieving and inspiring that would be!
Well, the dream is not vain. Rather, it is the shape of the beautiful thing to come as the state government prepares to start work on the much-envisaged 38-km Fourth Mainland Bridge. A potential boost to the socio-economic, cultural and tourism profile of the country’s most vibrant economic hub, the Fourth Mainland Bridge will be coming 34 years after the Third Mainland became operational.
Like a master stroke across the sky of the Centre of Excellence, the bridge is connecting Lagos Island through Langbasa and Baiyeku in Ikorodu, across the Lagos Lagoon to Itamaga, also in Ikorodu. While it will take traffic from Abraham Adesanya, Ajah roundabout through the marshy lands of Lanagbasa, over the Lagoon and land somewhere near Ijede in Ikorodu, the Fourth Mainland Bridge will boast a 2 x 4 lane carriageway with permission for Bus Rapid Transit Lane and future road contraction. Eight roads, including the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, and Igbogbo-Lagos, will be aligned with the bridge, which will be built by CCECC-CRCCIG CONSORTIUM. It will serve as a complement to the Eko, Carter, and Third Mainland Bridges and help to reduce traffic.
The fact is that, with its compact, water-saturated yet highly populated geography, Lagos cannot afford not to be a land of bridges. No wonder, it commands, among others, the iconic ones that include the Carter Bridge and the Eko Bridge. While the first was originally built by the British colonial government in 1901(but reconstructed in the 1970s), the latter came on stream during the military era in 1975. The same military built the Third Mainland Bridge, with the Ibrahim Babangida government completing it in 1990. It is thus interesting that history is not only about to repeat itself but it is eager to do so in a grander way.
The Fourth Mainland Bridge, no doubt, will be Sanwo-Olu’s biggest legacy project. Observers will thus see how it unfolds alongside other major strides he has taken in the Red Rail, Imota Rice Mill, New Massey Children Hospital and the Ejinrin Film Village, among others, projects. For one, the bridge has the potential to boost property and tourism especially in the areas it connects.
Relaying the huge promise recently during a town hall meeting, Governor Sanwo-Olu said work would begin on the Fourth Mainland Bridge by March/April. He had also noted that the state had secured necessary partnership with Access Bank and African Export-Import Bank on the project.
At the second Africaribbean Trade and Investment Forum in Georgetown, Guyana, Sanwo-Olu had said, “It was a significant moment in Guyana at the Africaribbean Trade and Investment Forum 2023 as we’ve secured a partnership with the African Export-Import Bank and Access Bank for a massive investment of $1.352 billion in Lagos. This investment will power our long-term infrastructure projects, demonstrating confidence from international and local partners in our growing economy.”
According to him, the investment covers the second phase of the LRMT Blue Rail and the Omu Creek Project as well.
He added, “We’re committed to creating a better future for Lagos and its people. Our vision for Lagos is becoming a reality with the Lekki-Epe International Airport and the Lagos Food Systems and Logistics Hub in Epe. These projects will further boost our economy and serve generations to come.” In 2021, it was said that the project, estimated to cost about $2.5 billion, to be delivered through public-private partnership initiative and tolled for two years.
