THE FOURTH MAINLAND BRIDGE: ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW 

Did you know that the Fourth Mainland Bridge proposed to be built by the Lagos State Government is expected to become the second longest Bridge in Africa?

The Fourth Mainland Bridge is a 38 kilometers long bridge project by the Lagos State Government in Nigeria. The bridge connects Lagos Island by way of Langbasa (in Lekki) and Baiyeku (in Ikorodu) across the Lagos Lagoon to Itamaga, in Ikorodu. Here are some facts about the project birthed by the administration of the former State Governor, Ahmed Bola Tinubu, but kick-started by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

FACT 1

The Fourth Mainland Bridge is a 2 x 4 lane carriageway cross-sectional road with permission for BRT Lane and future road contraction. 

FACT 2

The Fourth Mainland Bridge is expected to become the second longest Bridge in Africa, featuring 3 toll plazas, 9 interchanges, 4.5 km Lagoon Bridge and an eco-friendly environment amongst other added features.

FACT 3

The project idea was conceptualized by the then government of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former governor of Lagos State. 

FACT 4

Construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge was planned to commence in 2017, 50 years after the state’s establishment and 26 years after the completion of the Third Mainland Bridge by the ex-military President Ibrahim Babangida. The bridge was initially expected to be completed by 2019, but construction could not start.

FACT 5

The project was to cost the state an estimated sum of ₦844 billion in the 2017 budget. However, In September 2020, the Lagos State Government proposed another sum of US$2.5 billion for the construction.

FACT 6

About 800 houses are expected to be demolished as against the 4,000 earlier marked for demolition in the previous design that was realigned. The Lagos state government had carried along the over 48 estates, traditional rulers and others that would be affected by the bridge.

FACT 7

Six bidders bid for the US$2.5 billion project in April 2021. In January 2022, the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, notified the public that three companies have reached the final stage, and the contract would be awarded in March 2022. On December 29, 2022, The state government, through the Office of Public Private Partnerships, announced Messrs CCECC-CRCCIG Consortium as the preferred bidder for the construction of the bridge. 

FACT 8

Work on the Fourth Mainland Bridge project would begin in the first quarter of 2023 and the project is expected to be finished in 54 months, that is more than four years, according to the Lagos State Government.

FACT 9

The Fourth Mainland Bridge is also expected to span about 37 kilometres, starting from Abraham Adesanya in Ajah, on the Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe corridor and traverse the North West towards the Lagoon shoreline of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway via Owutu/Isawo in Ikorodu.

FACT 10

The Fourth Mainland Bridge when completed would reduce congestion on the existing Carter, Eko, and Third Mainland Bridges while opening new areas of the City for future developments. The new ("greenfield") tolled road will have an allowed maximum speed of 120 km/h.

Source: Wikipedia, Tribune Newspaper