Here are the major bridges in Lagos.
In a place as big as Lagos, the probability of not seeing a linking bridge between an island to another or a river to another is almost impossible.
There are several bridges in this city, so let’s categorize them into the major and the minor bridges.
Bridges are built to ease traffic congestion and for a populated and traffic-tight commercial center like Lagos, finding long bridges that stand out is no more news.
Major bridges in Lagos have gotten the world’s attention on Africa and the city including the not yet constructed.
5 Major Bridges In Lagos State
We all know that Lagos has the Mainland and Island as its major areas, now how do these two areas connect?
What about a look at the major bridges in Lagos state, so you know which one you have been plying and their features.
The Third Mainland Bridge
So this bridge is officially called the Ibrahim Babangida Bridge.
The famous bridge is located in the big city of Lagos state. It is called the Third Mainland Bridge because it is the third of the three bridges connecting the island to the mainland.
It takes 10-15 minutes drive to cover the length of the bridge in kilometers and eight lanes spans in width.
This bridge starts from Oworonshoki, linked to Apapa-Oshodi expressway and Lagos-Ibadan expressway and it ends at AdenijiAdele interchange at Lagos Island.
This famous bridge, often referred to on videos (both musical and movies) was constructed by Julius Berger; a German construction firm. The bridge is 11.8 kilometers in length and is the longest of the three bridges; Eko, Lekki Ikoyi,, and the carter bridge.
This bridge covers the second-largest river in Africa and before the emanation of the 6th October bridge in 1996, the third mainland bridge carried the crown for the longest river on the continent.
The engineers constructed an artificial island in Lagos lagoon at the meet point road interchange at Ebute Metta. The third mainland bridge otherwise known as Ibrahim Babangida Bridge is an architectural masterpiece.
Carter Bridge
Constructed in the year 1901 by the British colonial government, before any other, this bridge was the only connecting line between the mainland and the island.
Starting from Iddio, the bridge runs through to the Idumota area of Lagos Island, the bride was dismantled after independence and redesigned in the late 1970s. The Alaka-Ijora flyover on the Iddo end of the span was completed in 1973.
This bridge was the first bridge constructed connecting the mainland to the island. The bridge is named after a former governor of the colony Sir Gilbert Thomas Carter.
Being the first bridge product of colonial rule, the bridge still stands though it has witnessed lots of ups and downs in Lagos history, and little wonder it is still part of the major bridges in Lagos state, though it was once dismantled and redesigned.
Borino Prono Nig Ltd was in charge of the construction of this bridge. You will get fined 50,000 Naira if you park your car along the length of the bridge, a policy of the Lagos state government in 2006.
If you want to see the beauty of the carter bridge then you should visit at night since the street lights illuminate the bridge and make it safe at night.
The bridge lighting was done by an independent power project during the reign of Gov. Babatunde Fashola.
Eko Bridge
Starting from Ijora on the Lagos Island to the Apongbon area of Lagos Island, the Eko bridge is the shortest of the three bridges connecting the mainland to the island.
This bridge has a lagoon section that spans a distance of 430 meters.
This bridge is the access point for vehicles approaching Lagos Island from the Apapa and Surulere areas of the mainland. This bridge was constructed by Julius Berger construction firm and was constructed in phases between 1965 and 1975.
Lekki-Ikoyi Bridge
This bridge was finally constructed and commissioned in 2013, it is a cable bridge that links Ikoyi toLekki, this bridge has sidewalks that are not commonly found on other bridges in Lagos and runners use it as a major route.
This bridge is a 1.36km (0.84)mile and is the most photographed place in Lagos thanks to the beauty that resides on this bridge and is a landmark of the financial metropolis of Lagos state.
This bridge costs about 29 Billion Naira. The bridge was constructed during the Ibrahim Babangida administration
Fourth Mainland Bridge
The Lagos government is proposing $2.2billion for the construction of the fourth mainland bridge which the foundation is expected to be carried before the end of 2021.
The bridge will be 37.4 kilometers and will have a 2 x 4 lane carriageway with allowance for BRT lane and future road expansion upon completion.
The reason for the construction of this bridge is to ease traffic flow.
With a proposed ring road to provide alternative traffic routes from Lekki to Ikorodu, Ikeja to Ajah and will relieve the third mainland bridge of its overstretched capacity.
The construction of this bridge will require the demolition of 800 houses. it is expected to be the second-longest bridge in Africa featuring three toll plazas,4.5km lagoon bridge,9 interchanges.
This idea was brought up by the government of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Lagos state governor.
This project was proposed in 2006; a design for the bridge has been produced by Ohio-based advanced engineering consultants (AEC) and takes the form of the box girder.
When you visit Lagos, be sure to go on these bridges, and more beautiful at night for road trips due to their length.
Despite the congestion and busy outlook of these bridges, standing or driving up there is a beauty to behold but be sure to be careful of the policies guarding these bridges so you don’t break them and be fined
It is important to know that these bridges are properties of the Lagos state government and as we await the completion of the Fourth mainland bridge, let’s enjoy our ride on the giant bridges.