Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has promised commuters that the much-anticipated Opebi-Odoiya Alaro Bridge will be accessible to traffic ahead of the upcoming festive season, following unexpected setbacks caused by ongoing art installation work at the site.
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The governor shared the update via his official X handle following an on-site evaluation to monitor progress and investigate the factors behind the revised schedule. While initial projections targeted an opening by late September, technical requirements around a central landmark required additional time.
Governor Sanwo-Olu detailed that the focal point causing the hold-up is a 25-metre steel monument dedicated to the legacy of the historic Cane Village, a community previously celebrated for its bustling cane craftsmanship and marketplace. The artistic installation, sculpted to showcase four hands intricately weaving cane, is designed to preserve local cultural heritage while serving as an iconic visual feature along the corridor.
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Engineers have already mounted three of the structure’s four primary segments, with the final piece currently undergoing assembly.
“The monument is now 80% complete, and we need just a few more days to finish the work,” Sanwo-Olu explained, emphasizing that public welfare took precedence over meeting rushed deadlines.
“Safety remains our priority, so we cannot open the road until every section is securely in place.”
At a recent media gathering, I said the newly completed Opebi-Odoiya Alaro Bridge would open to traffic by the end of September, based on the work plan presented to me. With work still ongoing, I visited the site today to assess progress and understand the reasons for the delay.
The 25-metre steel monument being installed at the site is designed to preserve the history of the Cane Village, which once stood there and was known for its cane market. The design features four hands of cane weaving, a tribute to this local heritage and a new landmark that will add to the beauty of the corridor.
Three of the four steel components have been fully assembled and fitted, while the final piece is being installed. Safety remains our priority so we cannot open the road until every section is securely in place.
The monument is now 80% complete and we need just a few more days to finish the work. I understand the inconvenience this delay has caused motorists and I ask for a little more patience as we bring the project to completion. I assure you that the bridge will be fully operational before the holidays giving motorists a smoother journey and Lagos a new landmark.
— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) October 25, 2026
Extending his apologies for the extended wait, the governor urged residents and road users to exercise patience, reiterating his commitment that the vital link will be fully operational in time to ease holiday travel across the metropolis.
