Ojota–Opebi Link Bridge is a bridge to opportunity – Tinubu

Ojota–Opebi Link Bridge is a bridge to opportunity – Tinubu

• We’re deeply proud to deliver this historic project, says MD Julius Berger

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Wednesday formally inaugurated the long‑awaited Opebi–Mende–Ojota Link Road and Bridges in Lagos, marking a major milestone in the state’s urban transport architecture and traffic decongestion strategy.

The historic commissioning ceremony, held amidst elaborate pomp and pageantry, formed part of the President’s two‑day official visit to Lagos State, during which he unveiled several flagship projects executed by the administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo‑Olu.

According to the President who was represented by Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio at the event, the edifice is for the President of Nigeria; affirming that the projects undertaken by the administration of Governor Sanwo-Olu are not just physical structures, but are symbols of purpose reflecting a government that understands that development must be seen, felt, and experienced by the people.

 

The Ojota–Opebi link Bridge is more than a road; it is a bridge to opportunity. In a city like Lagos, movement is everything. When traffic improves, productivity increases. When time is saved, businesses grow. When access is easier, lives improve, Tinubu said at another event held in Alausa, Lagos.

 

He added: this project sends a clear message: Lagos will not be overwhelmed by the challenges of growth. Instead, those challenges will be addressed and overcome.

 

For an elated Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the project was not a straightforward building; the terrain was very swampy and prone to flooding, which meant that conventional methods would not suffice. What you see, therefore, is the result of careful planning and the application of advanced solutions.

 

He was full of praise to the contractor saying, we want to thank Julius Berger for keeping to time, for staying within budget, and for once again delivering high-quality road infrastructure. We have also been intentional about inclusivity and sustainability, providing walkways, bicycle lanes, solar-powered street lighting, and embedded service ducts. In essence, we have built not just for today’s needs, but with a clear vision for the ever-expanding demands of the future.

 

He added that, as part of the project, a comprehensive stormwater management system to address the long-standing challenge of flooding along the Udo-Yarlaro Corridor, thereby strengthening our environmental resilience was integrated.

 

The Managing Director of Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, Engr. Dr. Peer Lubasch described the project as a crucial milestone in alleviating traffic congestion and boosting the economy of Lagos state.

He said, this iconic project is fundamentally “your baby”, conceived some twenty years ago during your tenure as the Governor of Lagos State. We salute your brilliant vision and foresight. Furthermore, we wish to express our deepest gratitude for your outstanding national leadership. Your bold and decisive reforms under the Renewed Hope Agenda are paving the way for a stable, secure, and prosperous Nigeria, whether by tackling insecurity or driving economic realignment.

That this long-held vision is a reality today is due to the tireless dedication, determination, and resilience of the current Governor, His Excellency Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, who nurtured this endeavour into a true legacy project despite global economic challenges.

Lubasch further said, we at Julius Berger are deeply proud to be the contractor that realized this historic project. For 60 years, we have been entrusted with building critical and priority infrastructure in Nigeria. With these six decades of experience in the country and our outstanding engineering expertise, we have consistently delivered with reliability, utmost integrity, and professionalism.

Looking towards the future, the managing Director said, Julius Berger would be profoundly honoured to be assigned further iconic and landmark projects, adding; we stand ready to bring our six decades of local experience, our unmatched expertise, and our specialized know-how; particularly in the realisation of highly complex bridge structures to bear on these future endeavours.

The Opebi–Mende Link Road, spanning approximately 5.04 kilometres, connects Opebi in Ikeja with Mende, Maryland and Ojota, providing a strategic alternative route to some of Lagos’ most congested corridors, including Allen Avenue, Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way and Ikorodu Road.

Designed and constructed by the leading engineering construction company, the project comprises multiple bridges, dual carriageways, pedestrian walkways and upgraded drainage infrastructure aimed at improving mobility, safety and flood resilience across the axis.

The project posed enormous construction challenges due to extremely poor soil conditions, including soft peat layers extending up to 20 metres below ground level, necessitating extensive sand filling to create temporary working platforms.

To overcome these constraints, the Link Road and Bridges comprise multiple flyovers across swampy terrain, interspersed with access roads and connected to Ikorodu Road and Opebi Road.

Julius Berger deployed advanced engineering solutions, including 530‑metre and 110‑metre bridge spans, 50‑metre mechanically stabilised earth‑wall approaches, 30‑metre prestressed beams, geotextile‑reinforced ramps, and 1.5‑metre‑diameter bored piles driven up to 40 metres deep, using spiral duct systems as permanent casings.

3rd left, representative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio being assisted by Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu in cutting the ceremonial tape to declare the iconic Lagos-Opebi-Mende Link Bridges and Roads open Wednesday 

Team Julius Berger at the commissioning of the Lagos-Opebi-Mende Link Bridge and Roads with the Team Lead and Managing Director, Engr. Dr. Peer Lubasch sixth left on Wednesday.

R-L: Project Coordinators, Nath Ikem and Adegbenga alongside the Regional Technical Manager, Engr. Thomas Christl, Managing Director, Engr. Dr. Peer Lubasch and Regional Commercial Manager, Alexander Bauer at the commissioning of Lagos-Opebi-Mende Link Bridge and Roads, Wednesday.

Head, Corporate Communication, Emieseifa Agama walking the Managing Director, Engr. Dr. Peer Lubasch into the arena during the commissioning of Lagos-Opebi-Mende Link Bridge and Roads, Wednesday.

Some members of Team Julius Berger at the commissioning of Lagos-Opebi- Mende Link Bridge and Roads, Wednesday.