Yesterday, the Lagos state government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) allowing them to begin the construction of the 4th Mainland Bridge. Here’s what you need to know:

• The bridge will be 38 kilometres long. This is about three times the length of the Third mainland bridge which is 11.8 kilometres.
• The sum of N844 billion will be spent on the project in a Public Private Partnership, PPP, initiative.
• The Fourth mainland bridge is expected to be completed in three years and will hold the title of ‘Africa’s longest bridge’ once finished.
• With a population of over 21 million people, increased commercial activities and constant traffic, the bridge will serve as an alternative route to the eastern axis of the state and and consequently, de-congest traffic.
• The Fourth Mainland Bridge will be made up of eight interchanges to facilitate effective interconnectivity between different parts of the state.
• According to Governor Ambode, the bridge will provide the required transportation complement to the rapidly growing industrial activities on the Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe corridor of Lagos state.
• “It will be a four-lane dual carriageway, each with comprising three lanes and two-metre hard shoulders on each side,” said Ambode.
• The bridge will accommodate three toll plazas and it will serve as a major boost to the actualisation of the ‘Lekki master plan.’
• The proposed alignment of the bridge will pass through Lekki, Langbasa and Baiyeku towns, along the shoreline of the Lagos Lagoon.
• It will further run through the Igbogbo River Basin, crossing the Lagos Lagoon estuaries to the Ita-Maga Area in Ikorodu.
• The alignment will also take the bridge through Itoikin road and the Ikorodu-Sagamu road to connect the Isawo inward Lagos-Ibadan expressway at the Ojodu Berger axis.
• The bridge will be constructed to have a generous median to allow for both future carriageway expansion and light rail facilities.
• The project will be financed by the Africa Finance Corporation, Access Bank and other private investors. And coordinated by Visible Assets Limited.

Like governor Ambode said, there is a lot to gain from this project, including employment opportunities and the fact that it will generally make life more comfortable for Lagos residents.