Opebi-Mende Link Bridge to Open Before Christmas, Sanwo-Olu Says
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has said the Opebi-Mende Link Bridge is about 80 per cent complete, expressing confidence that it will be opened to the public before Christmas.
Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance during an inspection of the project, acknowledging that construction had exceeded the September completion deadline previously announced.
He said the visit was intended to establish the reasons for the delay and assess progress, stressing that the project’s distinctive architectural design and engineering requirements must not be compromised in the rush to meet a deadline.
According to the governor, the bridge’s steel structure was designed to reflect the area’s historical association with cane weaving, preserving the community’s cultural identity.
He explained that the project involved installing more than 300 tonnes of steel at heights of up to 25 metres, making it an unusually demanding engineering undertaking.
Sanwo-Olu said three of the four major steel components, designed to resemble interwoven cane, had been completed, while work continued on the remaining component.
He added that light-emitting diode (LED) installations featuring the colours of Lagos State would enhance the structure and give it an iconic appearance.
The governor said the state government would not sacrifice engineering quality or public safety for speed, despite the delay.
He said additional work, including site cleaning, kerb repainting, the restoration of affected areas, and landscaping, would be completed before the bridge opened to the public.
Sanwo-Olu envisaged the area becoming a destination for recreation, cultural heritage, and tourism. He added that its redevelopment would enable residents to appreciate the history and identity of the community.
He maintained that the bridge would become a significant infrastructure landmark in Lagos, combining innovation with cultural preservation.
Sanwo-Olu commissioned the construction of the bridge in 2022 to ease traffic congestion in Ikeja and surrounding areas.
He described the bridge, which is part of the state government’s legacy projects, as an innovative solution to the persistent gridlock along the Opebi, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ojota, and Mende corridor.
