By Omolara Omosanya
Installation of bored piles has commenced at the Ojota-Opebi link Bridge in Lagos.
The Bridge which is one of the legacy projects of the Sanwo-Olu’s administration is aimed at decongesting traffic in the Ikeja axis and on Ikorodu road by providing direct link between Opebi, Mende, Maryland and Ojota to Ikorodu road, reducing the perennial traffic on Mobolaji Bank-Anthony way, and setting precedence for Ojota commuters to link the 3rd Mainland Bridge.
Addressing Journalists at the Mende end where the bored piling is ongoing, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs Aramide Adeyoye, explained that the bridge planned to be constructed over an eighteen-month period would be delivered on schedule.
Pointing out that the project was jointly conceptualized by the Ministry of Works and that of Transportation, Mrs Adeyoye stated that apart from providing Infrastructure and transport solution, the project also bring to bear innovation and when completed, the Bridge would have positive impact on the health of residents who will have the opportunity to exercise on it, just like the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge
“We haven’t done this type of heavy construction work on bridges since Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge eight/ten years ago, so, this is similar to what you have on Lekki-Ikoyi Link and of course, with the contractor, they are ISO certified, you can expect world class standard work from them, therefore, when completed, residents can use the pedestrian walkways to exercise, circle and all, just like they do on the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge” Mrs Adeyoye stated
She said that Opebi road has been dualized to accommodate the volume of traffic the bridge would attract.
On his part, the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederick Oladeinde stated that the Bridge is a demonstration of the the Sanwo-Olu administration’s plan to regenerate Lagos by providing residents with Infrastructure that would be complemented by decent Inter-modal Transportation system, while improving public transportation.
The Commissioner said “When you look at all the projects we are doing, it is those that will either connect communities or that will make our public transport better, the focus right now is on public transportation, though car owners can navigate also, but we are not building structures so that people can buy more cars, but we are building so that Lagosians can move more efficient, decently from one point to the other”
Over one hundred registered Nigerian Engineers are currently working on the project while students from various Universities and Youth Corpers are also learning practical aspects of their courses on the job.
Some of the students from both public and Private Universities who shared their learning experiences with Radio Nigeria said they have been exposed to hands-on knowledge which they wouldn’t have gotten in the classroom
On January 26, 2022, during an official ceremony to kickstart the construction, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had expressed confidence that when completed, the Bridge with a total length of three point eight-nine kilometres, would reduce commuting time by at least one hour.
Discover more from Radio Nigeria Lagos
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
