Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu says the Opebi-Mende Link Bridge is about 80 per cent complete and is expected to open to the public before Christmas.
Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance during an inspection of the project. He acknowledged that construction had passed the September completion date previously announced.
He said he visited the site to determine the reasons for the delay and assess progress. He added that the bridge’s distinctive design and engineering requirements should not be compromised in an effort to meet the deadline.
The bridge’s steel structure is designed to reflect the area’s historical association with cane weaving and preserve its cultural identity, he said.
The project involves installing more than 300 tonnes of steel at heights of up to 25 metres, making it a particularly demanding engineering undertaking, according to the governor.
Three of the four major steel components, designed to resemble interwoven cane, have been completed, while work continues on the remaining component, he said.
Sanwo-Olu added that LED installations featuring the colours of Lagos State would enhance the structure and give it an iconic appearance.
He said the state government would not sacrifice engineering quality or public safety for speed, despite the delay.
Before the bridge opens, additional work will include site cleaning, kerb repainting, restoration of affected areas and landscaping, he said.
Sanwo-Olu said he envisaged the area becoming a destination for recreation, cultural heritage and tourism, where residents could appreciate the community’s history and identity.
He described the bridge as a significant infrastructure landmark that would combine innovation with cultural preservation.
Sanwo-Olu commissioned the bridge’s construction in 2022 to ease congestion in Ikeja and surrounding areas. He said the project was a legacy initiative and an innovative solution to persistent gridlock along the Opebi-Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way-Ojota-Mende corridor.
