Nigerian government is increasingly improving the transport infrastructure, from launching railway links to construction of roads, these mega projects are taking shape. On the cards is the Fourth Mainland Bridge in Lagos, a significant infrastructure development with a budget to the tune of £2.3 billion. The bridge will span nearly 24 miles, boosting eight-lane structure, incorporating three toll booths. When complete in 2027, it will be Africa’s second-longest bridge.
Designed to alleviate congestion on the existing Third Mainland Bridge, constructed in 1990, the new bridge is expected to facilitate smoother traffic flow.
Constructed by the CCECC-CRCCIG consortium under the leadership of the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, the bridge will feature dual carriageways, each comprising four lanes, extending from Lagos Island over the Lagos Lagoon to Ikorodu. This Chinese-led consortium was selected over six other contenders for this significant project. Initially projected for completion by 2019, the bridge faced delays and construction has yet to commence.
The construction phase will necessitate the demolition of approximately 800 residences, significantly fewer than the initially projected 4,000, to accommodate the bridge’s pathway. The bridge’s design will integrate with eight existing roadways, including the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Igbogbo-Lagos road, enhancing the regional transportation network.
Upon completion, the bridge will support high-speed vehicular movement with a speed limit set at 75mph. Additionally, a dedicated Bus Rapid Transit Lane is planned to facilitate expedited public transportation, particularly across the bridge’s nine interchanges.
Besides mitigating traffic congestion on the Third Mainland Bridge, the new bridge is expected to complement the Eko and Carter bridges, thereby improving the overall transportation infrastructure in Lagos. The bridge will operate under a Design, Build, Finance, Operate, Maintain, and Transfer (DBFOMT) model for the Lagos State Government, ensuring its sustainable management and operation post-completion.
