The Lagos State Government has attributed the delayed opening of the Opebi-Odoiya Alaro Bridge to the set up of a further metal monument, assuring motorists that the bridge will open to visitors before Christmas.
The announcement was made by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in response to an announcement issued by the state authorities on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
The governor stated the monument, launched in the direction of the ultimate stage of the undertaking, was about 80% full, with the remaining set up work required before the bridge may safely open to motorists. The delay comes after an earlier goal of opening the bridge by the top of September was missed.
Lagos explains Opebi Bridge delay
Sanwo-Olu stated the Opebi-Odoiya Alaro Bridge would open to visitors before Christmas, with the remaining work on the 25-metre metal monument anticipated to be accomplished within the coming days.
As of Sunday, the monument set up was about 80% full, with three of the 4 metal palms already assembled and put in. Work on the ultimate metal part was anticipated to start shortly, after which different proposed options could be added to finish the construction.
- “In a latest media gathering, I discussed that the newly accomplished Opebi-Odoiya Alaro Bridge could be open to visitors on the finish of September based mostly on the work plan I used to be briefed. But, we’re approaching the top of October and the work is but to be accomplished.
- “As a responsible Governor, I needed to come and find out personally what caused the delay and the issues around the work,” the governor stated.
- “The Governor assured Lagosians that the bridge would be part of the infrastructure that would be used during the Yuletide,” the assertion added.
Sanwo-Olu defined that the extra monument was not included within the bridge’s authentic design however was conceived throughout the remaining stage of building, contributing to the delay in opening the infrastructure to motorists.
Why Lagos added a metal monument
Sanwo-Olu visited the undertaking website on Sunday to evaluate progress and set up the explanations for the delay after the September opening goal was missed.
According to the governor, the monument is designed to mirror the world’s historic affiliation with cane weaving, as Odo-Iya Alaro was identified for its cane market. The construction represents the 4 palms concerned in weaving cane and is meant to protect the world’s cultural heritage.
The governor stated the set up entails roughly 300 tonnes of metal at a peak of 25 metres, describing it as an intensive engineering operation that requires cautious execution.
He appealed to Lagos residents to train persistence, stressing that the metal construction should be safely put in before the bridge opens to visitors.
He additionally counseled officers of the state Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and building employees for his or her efforts, whereas urging them to speed up the remaining work.
Beyond enhancing motion alongside the hall, Sanwo-Olu stated the bridge may turn into a landmark for recreation, tourism and cultural heritage when accomplished.
The Opebi-Odoiya Alaro Bridge, generally generally known as the Ojota-Opebi Link Bridge, was commissioned by President Bola Tinubu in April 2026 however had not been opened to public use following the commissioning as a result of some work remained incomplete.
Project historical past and anticipated advantages
The Ojota-Opebi Link Bridge was conceived to deal with visitors congestion alongside the Ojota, Maryland, Mende, Opebi and Allen corridors, which join residential areas to Ikeja’s Central Business District.
The undertaking was initially conceived greater than 20 years in the past throughout Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and was revived in January 2022 by Governor Sanwo-Olu, in response to the state authorities. Construction of the bridge and its strategy roads was formally flagged off by the governor on January 26, 2022.
- Sanwo-Olu described the undertaking as a part of his administration’s efforts to implement the Traffic Management and Transportation Pillar of its THEMES Developmental Agenda and the State Strategic Transport Master Plan.
- The bridge is meant to offer a direct connection between Opebi in Ikeja and Mende in Maryland, easing visitors round Allen, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way and Ikorodu Road whereas lowering journey instances for commuters.
- The building has confronted a number of completion targets, together with June 2023, the fourth quarter of 2024 and September 2026. The newest timeline introduced by the state authorities is an opening before Christmas.
- The governor additionally highlighted the difficult terrain, noting that the undertaking required a 20-metre excavation by undertaking supervisor Julius Berger to ascertain a strong basis.
The bridge’s opening will subsequently rely upon the completion and secure set up of the remaining monument parts, in response to the most recent timeline supplied by the governor.
