Lagos State Moves to Ease Traffic With Opebi–Mende Link Bridge Project

The Lagos State Government is preparing to commission the Opebi–Maryland–Mende Link Bridge, a major road infrastructure project designed to improve mobility and ease traffic congestion across key parts of the city. Initiated in January 2022, the project is expected to significantly enhance connectivity between Ikeja, Maryland, Mende and the Ojota axis.

Stretching over a road network of about 4.52 kilometres, the development forms part of the Lagos state government’s broader strategy to expand urban transport infrastructure and reduce persistent gridlock on some of Lagos’ busiest corridors. The project is being handled by leading engineering and construction firm Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, known for executing several large-scale infrastructure projects across the country.

When completed and commissioned, the bridge and connecting roads are expected to provide an alternative route for motorists travelling between Ikeja, Maryland and Kosofe, reducing pressure on existing traffic bottlenecks.

Strategic Link Between Key Lagos Corridors

The Opebi–Maryland–Mende Link Bridge is designed to create a direct connection between Opebi in Ikeja and the Mende/Ojota axis in Kosofe Local Government Area. According to project details, the new road will open into the Ojota corridor, offering motorists an alternative pathway that bypasses several congestion-prone junctions.

One of the major benefits of the project lies in its ability to divert traffic away from the busy Opebi U-Turn, a well-known choke point for commuters moving between Ikeja and Maryland. By providing a new route, traffic volumes along existing roads are expected to reduce significantly.

In addition, the project includes an intersection that will link directly to Ikorodu Road through a connection beneath the Odo Iya Alaro Bridge at Mende. This intersection is expected to streamline traffic movement toward Ojota, Ikorodu Road and surrounding neighbourhoods.

Construction and Engineering Scope

The infrastructure project covers approximately 4.52 kilometres of road network, including the construction of the bridge, connecting roads, drainage systems and supporting infrastructure necessary for smooth traffic flow.

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the engineering company responsible for the project, has been overseeing the technical design and execution since the project was flagged off in January 2022. The firm has previously handled several major bridges, highways and urban infrastructure developments in Lagos State and other parts of Nigeria.

Officials familiar with the project say the bridge is being designed to meet modern traffic demands, ensuring durability and capacity for increasing vehicle volumes as Lagos State continues to expand.

Expected Relief for Commuters in Lagos State

Once commissioned, the Opebi–Maryland–Mende Link Bridge is expected to provide significant relief for thousands of daily commuters navigating the Ikeja, Maryland and Ojota corridors.

Traffic congestion in these areas has long been a challenge, particularly during peak hours when motorists experience extended delays along Opebi Road, Mobolaji Bank-Anthony Way, and Ikorodu Road. The new link road is expected to distribute traffic more evenly across the network.

Urban planners and transport observers note that projects like the Opebi–Mende link are crucial to Lagos’ long-term mobility strategy, especially as the city’s population and vehicular traffic continue to grow rapidly.

If effectively integrated into the existing road network, the project could become one of the most important alternative routes within the Ikeja–Maryland transport corridor.