The longest bridge in Nigeria stretches 11.8 kilometers over the sea to connect Lagos Island with Lagos mainland.
Yes, not only the current longest bridge in the country, the Third Mainland Bridge used to be the longest bridge in the entire African continent as well (The 6th October bridge took the crown in 1996).
The 3rd Mainland Bridge was commissioned by General Ibrahim Babangida on his birthday 17th August 1990. After it was open, the bridge became a key joint which connects Lagos Island and mainland, starting from Oworonshoki to end at Adeniji Adele Interchange located on the island.
As its name reveals, the 3rd Mainland Bridge is the third bridge in the group, the other two are the Carter bridge and the Eko bridge and of course, the 3rd Mainland needs to be longest among the trio to be the longest bridge in Nigeria.
The bridge stretches 11.8 kilometers over the sea, which consumes an average of more than 10 minutes for a car to cover its length. And though being built with 8 lanes, the bridge still often sees congestions with a high load of vehicles shuttling between the island and mainland.
Opposed to the third, Eko Bridge has the most modest length between the three. Its two ends are the Ijora, Lagos mainland, and the Apongbon area, Lagos Island. The bridge was constructed from 1965 to 1975, spanning 430 meters to provide access for vehicles from Surulere and Apapa areas of Lagos mainland.
The Carter Bridge, however, is the most aged of all, which was built in 1901 (during the time of the British war) to link Iddo on Lagos mainland with the Idumota area of Lagos Island. After independence was gained, the bridge was subject to reconstruction in the late-1970s and completed in 1973.
Among those three, the Third Mainland Bridge and Eko Bridge were built by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC, a Nigerian construction company, headquartered in Abuja.
The 3rd Mainland Bridge was commissioned by General Ibrahim Babangida on his birthday 17th August, 1990.
