The Ministry of Works announced on Saturday that President Tinubu is set to commission the newly reconstructed Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota-Oshodi Expressway and the rehabilitated Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State on Sunday.
The statement was issued by the Special Adviser to the Minister of Works, David Umahi, Orji Uchenna Orji and made available to Newsmen and sighted by Rocketparrot News.
The President is committed to infrastructure development across the country and will also launch the coastal highway and other legacy highway projects being undertaken by the Federal Ministry of Works.
The Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota-Oshodi Expressway, which is a crucial link connecting Nigeria’s premier ports and the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, underwent reconstruction from 2018 to 2024.
The Third Mainland Bridge, the longest of the three bridges connecting Lagos, has also been rehabilitated.
Reconstructed/Rehabilitated Roads For Commissioning
1.Apapa-Oworonshoki-Ojota-Oshodi Expressway: The 36.02 km expressway is a crucial link connecting Nigeria’s premier ports—Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports as well as the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, to the larger part of Lagos as well as other parts of Nigeria through the arterial routes of Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, leading to other parts of Nigeria.
Originally constructed between 1975 and 1978, the road had deteriorated significantly over the years, causing severe delays in the evacuation of goods from Apapa Wharf.
The reconstruction which commenced in 2018 and completed in 2024, was executed in four sections using Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP) by Dangote Industries Limited under the Tax Credit method of infrastructure funding, with Hitech Construction Nigeria Limited as the subcontractor.
2.Third Mainland Bridge: The Third Mainland Bridge is the longest of the three bridges connecting Lagos Island to the mainland. spanning about 12.5 km, including the access ramps. It was commissioned by President Shehu Shagari in 1980 and completed by President Ibrahim Babangida in 1990.
“The bridge, which starts at Oworonshoki and ends at the Adeniji Adele Interchange on Lagos Island, underwent significant rehabilitation to improve its structural integrity and extend its lifespan.
Road Projects To Be Flagged Off
During his visit to Lagos, President Tinubu will also flag off the construction of major highway projects, both physically and virtually.
1.The 700-Kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway: This inter-state highway will traverse nine states along Nigeria’s coastal shoreline, starting from Lagos and terminating in Calabar, Cross River State.
2.Virtual flag-off of the design and procurement for the 1000km Sokoto-Badagry Highway.
This project will connect Sokoto to Badagry in Lagos State, passing through Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, and Ogun States. It is a spur from the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway
2 Virtual flag-off of the design and procurement of the 461 kilometre Africa Trans-Sahara Route: This route will start from a point on the Enugu-Abakaliki-Ogoja Road and traverse Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa states, terminating at Apo in Abuja.
This road is also a spur connecting the North to the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway.
3.Virtual flag-Off of Nationwide Reconstruction and Rehabilitation: This includes emergency interventions on 330 roads and bridges and other new road rehabilitation projects across the six geo-political zones of the nation.
The flag-off and commissioning of these projects demonstrate the administration’s commitment to infrastructure transformation and Mr President’s vision on road infrastructure as a catalyst for national socio-economic advancement.