Making progress on a major infrastructure work in Lagos

As Nigeria’s most active city in terms of trade and commerce, Lagos experiences a continuous increase in its motoring public as the economy expands. This puts significant strain on its road infrastructure, resulting in commuters enduing gruelling traffic on major roads, such as those within the Ikeja-Ojota axes.

In collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Julius Berger is currently constructing a 4.52-kilometre-long link bridge and approach roads across the swampy land area between Opebi and Mende. Conceived over 20 years ago as the solution to traffic congestion within the Ikeja-Ojota axes, the project poses enormous construction challenges that only a company with the right experience and expertise can overcome.

The new road is being built on extremely challenging soil conditions, with soft peat reaching depths of 20 metres below existing ground. This necessitates massive sand filling to create a temporary working platform. The road will be supported by 530 and 110-metre-long bridges and 50-meter-long mechanically stabilised earth-wall approach sections. The construction requires the application of 30-metre-long prestressed beams, with geotextile mechanically stabilized earth ramps, bored piles with diameter of 1500 mm, and a depth of 40 metres inside the swamp, using a spiral duct solution as permanent casing.

Once completed, the new road will open into Ojota axis in Kosofe, diverting traffic from Opebi U-Turn and connecting to Ikorodu Road via an intersection that will be constructed under Odo Iya Alaro Bridge at Mende.

Julius Berger’s scope of work includes the construction of bridges, U-turns and underpasses, as well as the reconstruction of the existing Opebi Road and Maryland U-turn.

The Opebi–Mende Link Bridge, upon completion, will be a major relief for commuters, alleviating traffic gridlock at Opebi, Mende, Maryland, Ojota and Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Roads.