The construction of a carriageway, a traffic solution proposed 20 years ago to ease the perennial gridlocks that usually stretch from the Sheraton link road into Opebi corridor was on Wednesday flagged-off by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The link bridge project was conceived 20 years ago by the administration of Senator Bola Tinubu.
Sanwo-Olu explained during the flagging-off ceremony that the 3.89 kilometre-long road infrastructure would open into the Ojota axis in Kosofe, taking traffic from Opebi u-turn and dropping it at Ikorodu Road via intersection that would be constructed under the Odo Iya Alaro Bridge at Mende.
He explained that the road project would be supported by 276 metre-long deck-on-pile bridge and 474 metre-long mechanically stabilised earth-wall approach sections.
The carriageway, which is a new connectivity, according to him, would create an easy exit for commuters leaving Ikeja-Onigbongbo axis towards Ojota and Maryland.
Sanwo-Olu said the project was initiated to proffer permanent solution to inadequacies of Opebi Link Bridge and the Opebi U-Turn, and to ease pressure on overburdened routes within Ikeja, with the objective to reduce travel time along the corridor.
Speaking on the road infrastructure, Sanwo-Olu described the project as, “another landmark progress,” recorded by his administration towards delivering requisite infrastructure in Lagos.
The ceremony, he said, demonstrated the priority accorded the welfare and well-being of the residents in line with his Government’s drive towards delivering a Greater Lagos Vision.
He said: “This flag-off ceremony demonstrates the priority we accord the well-being of the people of Lagos, as we are witnessing another milestone in the implementation of the Traffic Management and Transportation Pillar of our administration’s THEMES Agenda and the State Strategic Transport Master Plan (STMP).
“Prior to this project, there was no direct road linkage between Opebi, Maryland and Ojota. Available roads linking the areas are limited in connectivity options, thus paving the way for the high traffic volume and congestion within the Ikeja traffic network.
“We recognised the need to create permanent solution to the conflicts by initiating another legacy construction project linking Ojota, Opebi and approach roads to connect Opebi Road from its tail end with Ikorodu Road by Odo Iya Alaro.”
“Upon completion, the carriageway will reduce travel time for Lagos and Ikorodu-bound traffic from Opebi. It will also ease the traffic situation at Opebi-Sheraton Link Road and Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way.
“This legacy project will not only provide a new link to commute around Ikeja and its environs, it will also enhance economic prosperity and life expectancy,” he said.
The governor stressed that Messr Julius Berger was favoured as preferred contractor for the iconic project, given the civil engineering firm’s capacity and track record in construction on swampy terrains.
Since his administration came on board, Sanwo-Olu said 65 road projects and dozens of junction improvement work have been completed, while over 50 road infrastructure projects were at various stages of completion across the State.
He added that the state government’s traffic improvement work was being complemented with constant road maintenance.
He disclosed that over 832 arterial and tertiary roads, covering 252 kilometres, had been rehabilitated through routine palliative activities by the Lagos Public Works Corporation.
The governor added: “This is to demonstrate that politics is not about lip service. We have committed substantial resources to the provision of quality roads, waterways, and rail infrastructure to the people of Lagos, just as we have invested in modernisation of infrastructure inherited from the previous administration.
“To give the people commuting options, we initiated the construction of a 37 km track rail project which is steadily progressing, in addition to the complete overhaul of our water transportation system so that we can achieve an efficient and safe transport system that suits our megacity status and befits a 21st century economy.”
Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Aramide Adeyoye, said Julius Berger carried out extensive studies and engineering investigations along the project alignment two decades ago, prompting the state government to take proceed with the construction.
She said the governor remained determined to ensure that the project did not end up being abandoned, stressing that necessary funding mechanism had been secured to guarantee the project’s timely completion.
“Aside providing direct link between Opebi and Mende, Maryland and Ojota, this project also has two underpasses and U-Turn that will provide access for Ojota to Ikorodu as well as for Opebi-bound commuters.
“There is also provision for another underpass U-Turn for Phase 2 of Opebi Link Bridge Project which would eventually set a precedence for Ojota commuters to link the Third Axial Road,” Adeyoye said.
Also, the member representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, Hon. James Faleke, described the project as “a surprise gift” to Ikeja community, praising the Governor for his vision to open up the swampy channel.
The Chairman of Onigbongbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Hon. Oladotun Olakanle, extended residents’ appreciation to the governor for kicking off the project.
Sanwo-Olu also announced that the state government had successfully procured additional three sets of train for the Lagos Blue Line Rail project expected to be completed before the end of the year. The blue rail line traverses Okokomaiko and Marina.
The news came a week after the governor completed the deal for the procurement of two Talgo trains in Milwaukee, Wisconsin in the United States (U.S.) for the Lagos Red Rail Line project, stretching 37-kilometre from Abule Egba into Oyingbo.
Speaking on the newly acquired two sets of 10 Talgo car trains, the governor said, “We also initiated the construction of a 37 km track rail project which is steadily progressing, in addition to the complete overhaul of our water transportation system so that we can achieve an efficient and safe transport system that suits our megacity status and befits a 21st century economy.
“The Talgo trains will make our transportation system more functional, open up the local economy and bring impactful succor and relief to commuters.
“We have also acquired 3 sets of train for the Blue Line as we will be unveiling that we don’t want to talk much about it,” adding “If you don’t want to believe what we are saying, you can’t disbelieve what we’ve done.”
In a related development, Sanwo-Olu has said the state government would honour the agreements reached with landlords at the disputed Magodo Estate.
Speaking at the inauguration of the Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area Ultra-modern Secretariat Complex and Ikosi Fruit Market Phase One, he said his government would respect agreements reached with the landlords of Magodo land.
“I appreciate the Magodo Landlords Association for preventing mayhem and other tragedies waiting to happen by agreeing to work in concert with the State Government and Ikosi-Isheri LCDA to resolve the issues connected to implementing the judgement of the Supreme Court on land ownership in Magodo Shangisha.
“I assure all parties in this matter of our commitment to the implementation of the agreement reached for a lasting and amicable resolution,” he added.
The governor used the occasion to shower praises on Tinubu whom he called the architect of modern Lagos.
“It is appropriate for me to start by paying glowing tribute to the National leader of our great party, the All-Progressives Congress (APC); the architect of modern Lagos, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“During his tenure as governor, he responded to the general clamor by the citizens of this great state to create additional local governments, which, today are the 37 LCDAs, carved out of the existing 20 local governments.
“Being a visionary leader, Asiwaju remained undaunted and demonstrated uncommon courage in the face of intimidation by the then federal government to ensure that the will of the people prevailed,” he added.
Segun James
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