800 structures to go as 4th Mainland Bridge construction begins Q1 2023

.Project to last 54 months, cost of $2.5bn

IBRAHIM QUADRI

The Lagos State Government has given assurance that the 4th Mainland Bridge will take the duration of 54 months at an estimated cost of 2.5bn dollars.

The Fourth Mainland Bridge (4MB) Project, which is a proposed Public Private Partnership (PPP) transport infrastructure development, will comprise of the construction and operation of a greenfield tolled road and bridge with a design speed of 120km/h, including the development of adjacent real estates.

The State Government had earlier announced Messrs CCECC-CRCCIG CONSORTIUM as the preferred bidder for the project.

The project is expected to commence within the first quarter of 2023 and not less than 800 structures would be demolished, with the State government given assurance to pay all compensations.

These were disclosed during a press briefing over the weekend which was jointly addressed in Alausa, Ikeja by the Special Adviser on Works and Infrastructure, Engr Aramide Adeyoye and his counterpart from Office of Public Private Partnership (PPP), Mr Ope George, meant to demonstrate to the public the sincerity of Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to realize the dream.

The Sanwo-Olu’s Special Adviser on Works explained that “It is not just to build infrastructure but building infrastructure in a sustainable manner. We will try to complrte the building within four years. We have to consider traffic management aroujd the corridors but this administration knows what to do. We want people to have faith in this Goverment. This is a sense of purpose and commitment.

“We have 54 months duration, 16 alignments are to be considered and 800 structures are to be demolished. The project is estimated to cost $2.5bn,” she noted.

Adeyoye added that the Governor and the entire team had taken into consideration the investors’ confidence.in order to ensure transparency in the process, noting that compensations would be paid to those who provide titled documents.

Speaking earlier, George stated that the Bridge, when completed, would become the second longest in Africa with three toll plazas, nine interchanges, a 4.5km Lagoon Bridge and an eco-friendly environment. It is also expected to span about 37kilometres, starting from Abraham Adesanya in Ajah, on the Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe corridor and traverse the North West towards the Lagoon shoreline of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway via Owutu/Isawo in Ikorodu.

In his words, “You will recall that the Lagos State Government commenced a Competitive Bidding process for the selection of a Concessionaire, by the issuance of the Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) on 27th of November, 2019. A total of 52 responses were received with 32 being responsive”.

“Subsequently, a Request for Quotation (RFQ) was issued on 10th February 2020 to the 32 eligible applicants and responses were received on 15th April, 2020 with a total of 15 responses. Upon evaluation, six bidders met the criteria to progress to the Request for Proposal (RfP) stage”, he added.

George explained that the Bids have now been evaluated and Messrs. CCECC-CRCCIG Consortium emerged as the preferred bidder while the Messrs. MOTA-ENGIL (NIGERIA &AFRICA), CCCC & CRBC CONSORTIUM, as the reserved bidder for the Fourth Mainland Bridge project.

The Special Adviser restated that the Bridge will reduce congestion on the existing Carter, Eko and Third Mainland Bridges while opening new areas