Lagos State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to begin the construction of the 38km 4th Mainland Bridge, expected to bring a 14-year old dream to reality.
The MoU was signed on Wednesday at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja.
The construction is expected to cost N844billion in a Public Private Partnership initiative and would be delivered in three years.
The need for the bridge had become imperative following the phenomenal growth of the State with a population of over 21 million people, which has in turn increased commercial activities and traffic gridlock, the state Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode was quoted as saying in a press release signed by his chief press secretary, Habib Aruna.
“This has made it imperative for us to have a 4th Mainland Bridge that will serve as an alternative route to the Eastern axis and decongest traffic in the State,” he said.
“More importantly this bridge will provide the required transportation compliment to the rapidly growing industrial activities on the Eti-Osa – Lekki – Epe corridor of the State.”
He said the proposed alignment of the Bridge will pass through Lekki, Langbasa and Baiyeiku towns along the shoreline of the Lagos Lagoon estuaries, further running through Igbogbo River Basin and crossing the Lagos Lagoon estuaries to Itamaga Area in Ikorodu.
The Governor said the alignment will also cross through the Itoikin road and the Ikorodu – Sagamu Road to connect Isawo inward Lagos Ibadan Expressway at Ojodu Berger axis.
He said the Bridge would be made up of eight interchanges to facilitate effective interconnectivity between different parts of the State.
“This structure will be a Four-lane dual carriageway with each comprising three lanes and two metres hard shoulder on each side. The bridge will be constructed to have a generous median to allow for both future carriageway expansion and light rail facility. There is no gainsaying the fact that huge benefits will be derived from this project but most importantly, make life more comfortable for Lagosians,” he said.
Expressing confidence that the project would be delivered on a win-win framework for all investors, the Governor said for the first time in the history of the State, the Government was embarking on the construction of a long-span bridge and expressway without Federal funding as the project is to be solely funded by the private sector.
The Bridge, among others would accommodate cyclists and pedestrians and feature two service areas as well as additional pedestrian crossing, Aruna indicated in the press release.
“The Bridge would also accommodate three Toll Plazas which are still being tested from financial point of view and it would serve as a major boost to the actualisation of the Lekki Master Plan,” he said.
The project is to be financed by Africa Finance Corporation, Access Bank and other private investors who have already signified intention to be part of the construction, while Visible Assets Limited would be the coordinating firm, Aruna revealed.
