There are numerous people living in Lagos. The majority of Lagos’ major and secondary roadways are crowded, which is a fair representation of the city’s status as the country’s commercial hub.
While government exists to create an enabling environment, inhabitants are also struggling to survive and thrive in their respective businesses.
In order to manage the traffic congestion situation, the Lagos state government is about to begin the construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge in the state. This bridge will connect the state’s two distinct areas — the Island and the Mainland.
The new bridge is designed to ease pressure on the three existing bridges between the island and the mainland — the Carter, Eko and Third Mainland bridges.
The State Government recently met with stakeholders to assess the possible environmental and social impact of constructing the Fourth Mainland Bridge.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is expected to announce the preferred handlers “before the end of 2022, most likely on or before December 24.
The project had gone through the competitive bidding process comprising the Request for Proposal Stage I and the Request for Proposal Stage II.
Three bidders have been shortlisted for the RFP Stage II. 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.
The new fourth mainland bridge is at the centre of the synergy of traffic. There are eight roads aligned to the bridge. 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 in Ajah on the Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe corridor and transverse from the Northwest towards the lagoon shoreline of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway via Owutu/Isawo in Ikorodu.
An Environmental and Social Safeguard Consultant to 4th Mainland Bridge Project, Mr Kayode Oluwagbuyi had said the journey from Island to mainland would no longer be three to four hours.
“We expect that the journey will be just 30 minutes.” Oluwagbuyi asserted.
An uncertain number of homes and other buildings, mainly in informal settlements, will have to be demolished and terms of compensation agreed with 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.
Source: thenation
