Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has attributed the delayed opening of the Opebi-Odoiya Alaro Bridge to the installation of a 25-metre-high steel monument designed to reflect the heritage of the area, assuring motorists that the infrastructure will be opened before the Yuletide.
The governor gave the explanation on Sunday during an unscheduled inspection of the bridge, where he assessed the progress of the decorative structure being installed by construction firm Julius Berger.
Sanwo-Olu said the bridge was expected to open to traffic at the end of September, based on the initial work schedule presented to him. However, the additional architectural feature, conceived during the final stage of construction, had delayed the opening.
He disclosed that the monument installation was about 80 per cent complete, with three of its four steel components assembled and installed. Work is expected to continue with the installation of the final component before other proposed features are added to the project.
According to the governor, the monument is intended to preserve the historical identity of the area, which is known for its cane market and weaving craft. The design features four steel hands representing the traditional activity associated with the location.
Sanwo-Olu explained that the installation involved approximately 300 tonnes of steel positioned about 25 metres above the ground, making it a complex engineering operation that requires careful execution to guarantee safety.
“In a recent media gathering, I mentioned that the newly completed Opebi-Odoiya Alaro Bridge would be open to traffic at the end of September based on the work plan I was briefed. But we are approaching the end of October and the work is yet to be completed,” he said.
The governor added that he visited the site personally to establish the reasons for the delay and assess the challenges surrounding the installation.
He appealed to Lagos residents to exercise patience, stressing that the state government would not compromise safety by opening the bridge before the steel structure was securely installed.
“This is an extreme engineering process. We must ensure that the steels are safely fitted before the infrastructure is open to traffic,” Sanwo-Olu said, adding that the project should be completed to a standard that Lagosians would be proud of.
He commended officials of the state Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, alongside the construction workers, for their efforts in advancing the installation, while urging them to accelerate the remaining work.
Beyond its transportation benefits, Sanwo-Olu said the bridge would enhance the appearance of the surrounding corridor and serve as a landmark reflecting Lagos’s cultural heritage.
He also envisaged the structure becoming a destination for recreation and tourism, in addition to improving movement for motorists.
The governor assured residents that the bridge would be available for use before the end-of-year festive period, when traffic volumes typically increase across Lagos.
The Opebi-Odoiya Alaro Bridge is expected to improve connectivity for commuters, with the completion of the monument installation now central to the project’s opening timetable.
