Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, on Saturday, opened the reconstructed half of Olodo bridge for vehicular movement to enhance the seamless movement of people and vehicles on the route.
Meanwhile, some residents of the area expressed great relief on the opening of the first section of the bridge for pedestrian and vehicular movements.
Makinde, who was represented by the Commissioner for Public Works, Infrastructure and Transport, Dahud Shangodoyin, inaugurated the completed right side of the bridge, which serves as a link to Osun State.
He said, “The completion of the first half of the bridge is a further demonstration of Makinde’s commitment to the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people of the state, regardless of political inclination, religious affiliation or socio-economic status.
“Though the 35.6km Iwo Road-Olodo Bank-Elesingodogbo-Odo Oba to Oyo/Osun State boundary is a federal road, its construction is being carried out and funded by the state government.”
He said the governor said his administration considered it a necessity to concentrate energy on projects with the potential for the expansion of the economy of the state and engineering a modern Oyo State.
“It is with fulfilment and joy that I welcome you to the event of today, which is a further demonstration of this administration’s commitment to the delivery of dividends of democracy to all the nooks and crannies of the state without regard to the political inclination, religious affiliation or socio-economic group of our people.
“The need for construction of 35.6km Iwo Road-Olodo Bank-Elesingodogbo-Odo Oba (Oyo/Osun State boundary) was borne out of the passion of the current administration in the state to concentrate energy on projects with potentials for the expansion of the economy of the state and engineering a modern state.”
On the features and components of the bridge, the governor said, “The major features of the bridge being opened today, among other works, are pilling works, construction of central piers, precast beams and slab, return/retaining wall, deck, parapet wall, approach slab and median.
“The pavement at the approaches of the bridge is made up of 200mm thick lateritic sub-base, 200mm thick stone base, 50mm asphaltic binder course and 40mm asphaltic concrete wearing course, the surfacing is completed with road lane marking.”
Earlier, the contractor handling the project, Peculiar Ultimate Concern Limited, Adeleke Olanrewaju, thanked the residents of the Olodo area for their patience and cooperation.
Olanrewaju explained that the completed bridge was made up of three lanes to ease the movement of vehicles.
He urged the residents and road users to always obey the traffic management guidelines put in place to avoid traffic congestion on the bridge.
The residents thanked the governor for the quick intervention.
The Chairman, Olodo Baale Quarters, Felicia Oyelakin, Olajire Oluwatosin and Afolayan Sikiru said with the reopening of the bridge, a great relief has come the way of all the users of the bridge.
It was reported that the state government had awarded the reconstruction of the Ibadan-Iwo Road, which is a federal road, and the contractor handling the bridge assured the government that the first phase of the two-phase span would be completed early this year.
It will also be recalled that the completed half had been opened to pedestrians about two weeks ago, with the state government promising that the facility would be opened for vehicles in 14 days.
