The second longest bridge in Africa, 4th Mainland Bridge

The latest

Approximately 8 months after the contract for the construction of the 4th Mainland Bridge was awarded, stakeholders recently met at the Public Private Partnership (PPP), Lagos Office.

During the meeting, the project stakeholders as well as Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) reviewed legal advisers’ reports and discussed the selected bidders’ legal proposal and draft concession agreement for the project. The legal advisers’ report was reportedly deliberated upon with an emphasis on sustainability, openness and accountability.

The stakeholders’ meeting comes following the Federal Government’s approval of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report for the 4th Mainland Bridge project. The ESIA report approval was given after a public display that also included the resettlement policy framework for the project.

The Federal Ministry of Environment then granted a no-objection approval for the project to start.

4th Mainland Bridge Project Background

The 4th Mainland Bridge is a 38 km long bridge set for construction by the Lagos State Government, Nigeria.

The bridge cuts across Lekki, Langbasa, and Baiyeiku towns along the shoreline of the Lagos Lagoon estuaries, further running through the Igbogbo River Basin and crossing the Lagos Lagoon estuaries to Itamaga Area in Ikorodu.

It then crosses the Itoikin Road and the Ikorodu – Sagamu Road to connect Isawo inward Lagos Ibadan Expressway at the Ojodu Berger axis.

Also Read: Second River Niger Bridge project timeline and all you need to know

The bridge is a four-lane dual carriageway, each comprising 3 lanes and 2 meters of hard shoulder on each side. It will also have 9 interchanges to facilitate effective interconnectivity between different parts of the State, in addition to 3 toll plazas, a 4.5 km Lagoon Bridge and an eco-friendly environment amongst other features.

As per the design, the future Fourth Mainland Bridge will have a generous median to allow for both future carriageway expansion and light rail/BRT lane. Upon completion, the facility will be the longest of its kind in the whole of Africa.

Benefits of the 4th Mainland Bridge

The 4th Mainland Bridge will connect people and improve their natural flow in large numbers through a reorganization of vehicular, waterways, and pedestrian modes of transportation. It will also serve as a means for vehicular traffic on its upper level, and accommodate pedestrian, social, commercial, and cultural interactions on its lower level.

Additionally, in conjunction with existing road networks, it will establish a primary ring road around Lagos, which is expected to provide alternative traffic routes from Lekki to Ikorodu, Ikeja to Ajah, relieving the 3rd Mainland Bridge of its overstretched capacity.

Project summary 

Name:                       Fourth Mainland Bridge

Developer:                 Lagos State Government

Location:                   Lagos, Nigeria

Length:                     38 km

Lanes:                       2 x 4

Cost:                         US$ 2.2bn+

Status:                      Underdevelopment

4th Mainland Bridge Project Timeline

The idea for the construction of the 4th Mainland Bridge was conceptualized by the government of Lagos under Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The construction works, expected to be completed by 2019, were planned to commence in 2017, approximately 26 years after the delivery of the Third Mainland Bridge by the ex-military President Ibrahim Babangida at an estimated cost of over US$ 2.2bn.

June 2015

A 4th mainland bridge project proposed in Nigeria to the Lagos deep seaport

The Lagos State Government and the stakeholders of the fourth mainland bridge project in Nigeria have proposed the construction of a bridge to link the multi-billion naira Lagos deep seaport which is currently under construction at Lekki, off the Lagos- Expressway highway.
The US$1.6bn Lagos deep seaport project is being built on a tripartite arrangement.

The partners are the Federal Government of Nigeria represented by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) with a 20% shareholding followed by the Lagos State Government having a total of 18.5% shares with the Tolaram Group of Singapore being the main stakeholder with a record of 61.85% shares.

However, according to the aegis of the Port Consultative Council (PCC) heading the Lagos deep seaport project stakeholders the enormous benefits of constructing another bridge to link the Lagos mainland with the island cannot be over-emphasized.

Chief Kunle Folarin, the PCC Chairman proposed that once the bridge is linked to the Lekki deep seaport, evacuation of cargo from the terminals will be easy compared to what is experienced at the Apapa seaport. He further explained that sufficient transport corridors such as roads, rail, and pipelines should be put in place to boost the proposed port operation.

In his suggestion, he proposed 11 dual carriageway lanes, beginning from the port and connecting with the fourth mainland bridge to ease traffic congestion all the way to Lagos metropolis. Furthermore, the port is scheduled for completion within the period of 41 months after which the port is expected to be commissioned in the next four years from now.

On completion, the Lagos deep seaport will be capable of accommodating 10,000 container vessels equivalent to 1.5 million tonnes. With this advancement, the port will also be designed to handle 16.7 million tonnes of containers containing liquid and 40 million tonnes of dry bulk cargo per year.

May 2016

Lagos State to construct 4th mainland bridge in Nigeria

The Lagos State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the construction of a 38km 4th mainland bridge in Nigeria. For the first time in history, the State Government is embarking on the construction of a long-span bridge and expressway without Federal funding given that the project is solely funded by the private sector.

The bridge is expected to make Nigeria’s 14-year-awaited dreams come to reality and gear the state’s economic growth. The bridge project will be executed by the Public Private Partnership (PPP) initiative at a cost of US$4241.8m. The project will be delivered within a period of 3 years.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode revealed the state’s bridge construction plans during the MoU signing ceremony held at the Banquet Hall, Lagos House, Ikeja. Governor Ambode also stressed that the need for the bridge has become imperative following the phenomenal growth of the state with a population of over 21 million people who have instead increased the commercial activities and traffic gridlock.

The state’s economic situation has led to the construction of the bridge which is expected to serve as an alternative route to the Eastern axis and at the same time decongest heavy traffic in the State.

According to Governor Ambode, the bridge is expected to offer the required transportation complement to the rapidly growing industrial activities on the Eti-Osa – Lekki – Epe corridor of the State. He added that the proposed alignment of the Bridge will pass through Lekki, Langbasa, and Baiyeiku towns along the shoreline of the Lagos Lagoon estuaries. The bridge will also run through the Igbogbo River Basin, passing through the Lagos Lagoon estuaries to the Itamaga Area in Ikorodu.

The alignment will also cross through the Itoikin road and the Ikorodu – Sagamu Road connecting the Isawo inward Lagos Ibadan Expressway at the Ojodu Berger axis. The Bridge will be made up of eight interchanges that will facilitate effective interconnectivity between different parts of the State.

The bridge will be a four-lane dual-carriageway. Each carriageway will be made up of three lanes and two meters of hard shoulder on each side. The bridge will be constructed such that a generous median will allow future carriageway expansion and light rail facility.

However, the project will be delivered on a Win-Win framework for all investors. Governor Ambode has also reassured Lagos residents that his administration will remain committed to transforming the State into a world-class transportation system as a vital component, which according to him is a key requirement for the sustenance of economic growth in the State.

March 2017

Nigeria’s Lagos 4th mainland bridge set for construction

The construction of Nigeria’s Fourth Mainland Bridge is now expected to kick off in the coming weeks following the announcement that a suitable contractor for the project is about to be appointed

Also read: A fourth mainland bridge project proposed in Nigeria to the Lagos deep seaport

According to government officials, the project is expected to cost $2.66b, including the cost of access roads. Currently, they have issued an operating transfer (BOT) model. The officials added that in a week’s time, they will release the construction timetable for the construction project.

State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, has suggested that construction could begin before the end of this year. Some of the funding for the project has been allocated in this year’s Lagos State Government budget. The bridge will carry both passenger and cargo traffic.

He added that once the project is completed it will be able to decongest the City and give a quick solution to the problems facing the city residents and transport sector.

“The project may take longer time because we must ensure that a certain number of homes and other buildings, mainly in informal settlements, will have to be demolished and terms of compensation agreed with residents.

This is often a controversial process on infrastructural projects, partly because it can be difficult to determine exactly who lives in informal settlements” he added.

The official however told the local residents not to have any worries as the government will ensure that they are compensated before any demolition work is done to their properties.
He called upon them to cooperate with government officials to ensure that the compensation is done right on time and adequately.

Those who will be compensated however will have to produce the right documents of ownership to the local housing and land offices.

The project will be funded by the local county government and some donors from unnamed states.

April 2018

Nigeria to construct fourth Mainland Bridge

Lagos State government in Nigeria has revealed plans to construct the fourth Mainland Bridge. The construction work is set to commence before the end of this year. This is according to Adebowale Akinsanya, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure. The revelation was made known to the public during a press briefing marking the third anniversary of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.

Master plan

Operation of the 4th Mainland Bridge will be the insertion of a bypass; a bridge in Lagos State. On completion, the bridge will connect people and improve their natural flow in large numbers through a reorganization of vehicular, waterways, and pedestrian modes of transportation.

The bridge construction will have two levels which will not only function as a means for vehicular traffic on its upper level, it will also stimulate and accommodate pedestrian, social, commercial, and cultural interactions on its lower level. Additionally, in conjunction with existing road networks, the Fourth Mainland Bridge will establish a primary ring road around Lagos. The ring road is expected to provide alternative traffic routes from Lekki to Ikorodu, and Ikeja to Ajah, relieving the 3rd Mainland bridge of its overstretched capacity.

With the improved flow of people across Lagos, the city will be relieved of traffic congestion, and rather maximize its great opportunities and grow better.

2019

The Lagos state government started the selection process for the construction of the 4th Mainland Bridge in November 2019 following the advertisement of an Expression of Interest (EOI).

2020

Ope George, the director-general of the Lagos State Government office of public-private partnership (PPP) announced that the cost of the project had been revised from US$ 2,2bn to US$ 2.5bn.

The Government of the State of Lagos shortlisted 10 firms out of 32 eligible companies that responded to the call for Expression of Interest (EOI) and applied for the construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge in Lagos.

May 2020

10 companies shortlisted for the construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge in Lagos, Nigeria

The Government of the State of Lagos in Nigeria has shortlisted 10 firms out of the 32 eligible companies that responded to the call for Expression of Interest (EOI) and applied for the construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge in Lagos.

This was revealed in a joint statement released by Aramide Adeyoye and Ope George, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works and Infrastructure, and Director-General of the Office of Public-Private Partnerships respectively.

Also Read: Nigeria to construct fourth Mainland Bridge

The shortlisted firms include CCECC Nigeria Limited, CGGC-CGC Joint Venture, China Harbour Engineering Company Limited, China State Construction Engineering Corporation Nigeria Limited, IC ICTAS Insaat Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. and Ingenieros Consultores, S.A., through Makais Energy.

The others are Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Mota-Engil and CCCC Consortium, Mutual Commitment Company Limited, and Power Construction Corporation of China.

The Lagos State Government now plans to proceed to evaluate the applications in line with the evaluation criteria set out in the request for qualification and, thereafter, announce the successful pre-qualified bidders, who shall be eligible for participation in the next stage of the selection/bidding process, being the request for proposals stage.

2021

Special Adviser for Works & Infrastructure to the Lagos State Governor, Eng. Aramide Adeyoye disclosed that the state would announce the preferred bidder for the construction of the fourth mainland bridge in the third quarter (Q3) of the year.

June 2021

4th Mainland Bridge in Lagos: Construction works to begin this December

Speaking during the assessment speech of his 2nd year as the head of the state, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu revealed that the construction of the proposed 4th Mainland Bridge in Lagos will start before the end of December this year.

He said, “The laying of the foundation stone for the 4th Lagos Bridge site will take place before the end of 2021. The contract is at the final stage of completion and our Public-Private Partnership (PPP) concessionaires appear to be very committed. The preferred bidder out of the six under-listed bidders is expected to be determined by October.”

The 6 bidders in question are Mota-Engil and CCCC Consortium, Power Construction Corporation of China, CGGC–CGC Joint-Venture, CCECC Nigeria Limited, China State Construction Engineering Corporation Nigeria Limited, and IC ICTAS Insaat Sanayi ve Ticaret.

The governor also mentioned that all the necessary funding for the project has been secured. The project is currently estimated to cost US$ 2.5bn, an approximately US$ 3m increase from the US$ 2.2bn estimates made in September last year.

January 2022

3 Companies Selected For Final Contract Award Stage for the 4th Mainland Bridge

Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos State government has announced that the state government has selected 3 companies for the final stage in the contract award process for the 4th Mainland Bridge and that the selection process, which will be executed under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), will be completed by March this year.

“From a list of approximately 30 companies that expressed interest, we are now at the final stage with three shortlisted companies, and I am hoping that by March we should have completed the process,” explained the governor.

Also Read: 4th Mainland Bridge in Lagos: Construction works to begin this December

When asked about the construction of the bridge, the governor who had in June 2021 announced that the works would start before the end of December that year, said they will begin as soon as a concessionaire is identified and will take two to three years to be completed.”

All the necessary funding for the project, the cost of which is approximately US$ 2.5bn, a US$ 3m increase from the US$ 2.2bn estimates made in September 2020, has already been secured.

Oct 2022

Firms competing to build the fourth mainland bridge to be revealed soon

The firms competing to build the fourth mainland bridge will soon be revealed. Gbenga Omotoso, the commissioner for information and strategy, informed people of this.

He spoke as he gave an overview of the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-last Olu’s 200 days in office. It happened at a press conference with the media held at the Alausa Secretariat in Ikeja.

He claims that the selection of a preferred bidder for constructing the 39-kilometre bridge will result from the disclosure of prospective enterprises that meet the deadline for the Expression of Interest.

Omotoso said, “At the occasion, the government will formally launch the project’s realization process by announcing the Expressionaires.”

According to the commissioner, the administration has placed a specific emphasis on infrastructure. As well as traffic control, and transportation in an effort to lessen the suffering that locals endure due to gridlock.

Nov 2022

Winner of 4th Mainland Bridge project bidding process to be revealed before year-end

The State Government of Lagos has shortlisted a total of 3 bidders for the implementation of the 4th mainland bridge project. This was revealed by Mr Ope George, the Special Advisor to the Lagos State Government on Public-Private Partnerships (PPP).

The three shortlisted bidders are Mota-Engil (Nigeria & Africa) CCCC & CRBC consort, CGGC-CGC Joint Venture, and CCECC & CRCCIG Consortium.

The procedure according to George went through the Request for Proposal Stages 1 and 2 of the bidding process. Reportedly, the three bidders received the RFP Stage 2 documents. 

On November 17, 2022, George said, the evaluation committee, which is made up of representatives from the Ministry of Works, Office of Public-Private Partnerships, and the project advisers, began reviewing the submitted RFP Stage 2 documents.

This is to ensure that the preferred bidder will be disclosed before the end of this year.

Dec 2022

Lagos picks preferred bidder for 4th Mainland Bridge project

The Lagos State Government recently named Messrs CCECC-CRCCIG Consortium as the preferred bidder for the 4th Mainland Bridge project. Residents had been promised by Governor Bababjide Sanwo-Olu that the preferred bidder would be announced before January 1, 2023. The two-year project, with an estimated cost of $2.5 billion, would be carried out through a public-private partnership.

The Fourth Mainland Bridge project is a proposed Public Private Partnership, PPP, transport infrastructure development that will include the building and operation of a greenfield tolled road and bridge with a design speed of 120 kilometres per hour, as well as the development of the nearby real estate, according to Mr Ope George, Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Private Partnerships, who made the announcement at the PPP Office in Ikeja.

Also Read: 780MW to be added to the national grid in Nigeria from 3 hydropower plants

Remarks on the 4th Mainland bridge project

He said, “You may recall that on November 27, 2019, the Lagos State Government issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (REOI) to kick off a competitive bidding process for the selection of a concessionaire. 32 of the 52 responses received were indeed responsive. Thereafter, on February 10, 2020, a Request for Quotation, or RFQ, was sent to the 32 qualified applicants. On April 15, 2020, answers were received, totalling 15. However, six bidders passed the examination and moved on to the Request for Proposal, or RFP, stage.”

Aramide Adeyoye, the governor’s special adviser on works and infrastructure, had earlier claimed that the state administration had consulted with the more than 48 estates. Along with traditional rulers and other parties whom the bridge would affect.

Adeyoye advised individuals impatient for the project to get going to exercise patience. Claiming that the bridge’s drawbacks pale in comparison to its benefits.

On the 4th Mainland Bridge economic impact, she said, “New communities will spring up on the axis with business opportunities. The Dangote Refinery, Lekki Free Trade Zone, and regional roadways are among the developments on the axis. It’s a procedure. We’ll come to a workable, affordable solution that everyone can support.”