All things being equal, the Lagos State government will by next week announce the contractor and modalities for the construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge.

State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the 37-kilometre bridge is meant for the good people of Lagos and another promise kept by the administration.

Speaking at the completion of the civil infrastructure ceremony for the first phase of Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LMRT) Blue Line, Sanwo-Olu said the new infrastructure would further ease transportation between Mainland and Island parts of the state.

The state government, through its Office of Public-Private Partnerships, had earlier shortlisted three bidders for the project. The three are: Mota-Engil (Nigeria & Africa), CCCC & CRBC consort; CGGC-CGC Joint Venture and CCECC & CRCCIG Consortium.

In a statement, the Special Adviser to the governor on Public Private Partnership (PPP), Ope George, said the 4th Mainland Bridge is a proposed Public Private Partnership (PPP) transport infrastructure development, which includes the construction and operation of a greenfield tolled road and bridge with a design speed of 120kmh, including the development of adjacent real estates.

George said the idea of constructing the fourth mainland bridge was aimed at reducing severe congestion on the existing Third Mainland Bridge, while opening new areas for future development, noting that the project is expected to cost about $2.5 billion.

“It is expected to span about 37 kilometres, starting from Abraham Adesanya Street in Ajah on the Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe corridor and transverses the North West towards the lagoon shoreline of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway via Owutu/Isawo in Ikorodu.”

Besides, Sanwo-Olu said the completion of the civil infrastructure of the LMRT is not the commissioning of the inaugural phase.

“What we have gathered for is to commemorate the completion of the project construction. Very soon, in the first quarter of 2023, we will put together a fitting official commissioning. Until then, we have an important phase of test-run to carry out, to ensure that everything is in place and in order for the kick-off of full commercial operations.”

He said the first phase of the LRMT Blue Line stretches from Marina to Mile 2, covering five stations and a 13-kilometre stretch, out of the total of 27km that is the entire Blue Line, and which will run from Marina to Okokomaiko. The line will be powered by electricity to be supplied from a standalone Independent Power Plant.

According to him: “The Blue Line has had an interesting history of many delays that were not due to lack of enthusiasm or commitment on the part of the Lagos State Government. I will not dwell on those challenges. We have put them behind us, and we will from now on focus on the benefits of this project for our people.

“Coincidentally, this Marina location is central to our integrated multimodal transport system, being a melting pot for all the transportation modes. I am happy to announce that we will be

developing Marina into an integrated transport interchange, with the support of the French Development Agency (AFD),” he said.