Lagos, Nigeria – Construction on the long-awaited Fourth Mainland Bridge in Lagos is set to begin this year. The bridge, which will connect Lagos Island to Itamaga in Ikorodu, will be Africa’s second-longest, spanning an impressive 24 miles.
The £2.3 billion project will feature eight lanes, three toll booths, a dedicated Bus Rapid Transit Lane, and environmentally friendly design. Authorities hope the bridge will alleviate the chronic traffic congestion on the existing Third Mainland Bridge, which was built in 1990.
While the government initially aimed to complete the project by 2019, delays have pushed back the timeline. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has stated that construction will commence in the first quarter of 2024.
The Fourth Mainland Bridge is expected to require the demolition of 800 homes to make way for its construction. This is a significant reduction from earlier estimates of 4,000 demolitions.
The project will be undertaken by the CCECC-CRCCIG consortium, led by the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation. The Chinese group secured the contract after outbidding six other competitors.
