Roads & Construction
See How The Third Mainland Bridge Was Constructed In 1981 (Throwback Photos)
The third mainland bridge is not new to many Nigerians and if possible to Africa. The bridge which is the second-longest bridge in Africa was constructed in 1980-1981 by the military regime of Ibrahim Babaginda.
Third Mainland Bridge is the longest of three bridges connecting Lagos Island to the mainland, the other are the Eko and Carter bridges. It was the longest bridge in Africa until 1996 when the 6th October Bridge located in Cairo was completed. The bridge starts from Oworonshoki which is linked to the Apapa-Oshodi expressway and Lagos-Ibadan expressway and ends at the Adeniji Adele Interchange on Lagos Island.
There is also a link midway through the bridge that leads to Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba. The bridge was built by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC. The phase one of the projects was commissioned by President Shehu Shagari in 1980 and completed by President Ibrahim Babangida in 1990; it measures about 11.8 km in length.
A contract was awarded for a third mainland bridge in 1976. Construction of the bridge was done in phases. The first phase was contracted to a PGH consortium, a venture consisting, Impresit Girola and Borini Prono, while Trevi Group provided support services for piling. The first phase was designed to be 5 kilometres in length, starting from the Island and ending at Ebute Metta, towards Yaba.
The bridge elevates to 3 kilometres above the water and made from pre-stressed reinforced concrete. Foundation piles had varying depths of between 36 and 54 meters and pile diameter is based on potential carrying road, diameters of 1500mm are used for the main bridge crossing the Lagos lagoon and for the slipway and approach roads, pile diameter was between 800mm and 1200mm. The first phase was completed in 1980.
The second phase from Ebute-Metta to Oworonshoki was awarded to Julius Berger in Nigeria.
The Third Mainland Bridge has very high vehicular traffic on weekdays, as many residents commute to and from the Lagos Mainland to the Island which is the commercial hub of Lagos State. Residents in Ikeja, Agboyi-Ketu, Ikorodu, Isheri, Oworonshoki, Gbagada, Yaba, Maryland and Oshodi. The Third Mainland Bridge is an essential part of Lagos’ daily commuting, and as such requires to be constantly renovated. It has also come to be a major Lagos icon, offering different views of Lagos – the Lagos Lagoon, the University of Lagos Waterfront and Makoko, a shantytown built on the Lagos Lagoon.
On July 6 2020, it was announced that the bridge will be closed for six months due to repairs.
These are exclusive images as obtained by AutoReportNG
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