The second Niger Bridge has reached 95% completion and would be deployed into use soon by the first quarter of 2024. The Ag. Controller of Works in Anambra state who is also the Engineers’ representative on the project, Mr. Seyi Martins, stated this when he received members of the Council for Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN) at the site. Engineer Martins disclosed that the first phase of the project which is bridge proper has been almost completed leaving only the asphalt phase of the carriageway which will be completed soon.
He added that the asphalt wearing course has been fully laid on Onitsha bound carriageway lane, adding that things like street light, handrail, and other accessories on the Bridge have been completed.
He explained that the Bridge which is about 1.7 kilometers parallel to the existing one is a dual carriageway by design with three lanes on both sides measuring about 1.6km in length making the total length of the project 11.9km in all.
According to the Engineer, the steel guard rails are complete, the roads are set for vehicle traffic; the toll plaza area is almost completed, and what is left is the installation of toll booth canopies.
He added, “The bridge project is 95 percent complete and it is expected to be delivered by the end of December 2022 but there is a second phase which is a 3.3km road approach on the Delta side and 7km of approach road on the Anambra side that is yet to commence.”
He explained that the Bridge could be accessed from both the interchange at Aba on Onitsha-Owerri road and that a road was being constructed to connect traffic on the Asaba-Benin expressway while pending the completion of the second phase.
Meanwhile, Engr. Martins further explained “The second phase of the project is yet to commence, but the government has deemed it fit that upon completion of the first phase, it will be open to traffic.
“At the Onitsha end, there is an interchange at Oba, where you can access the bridge and on the Asaba end, there is a link road we are constructing to enable travelers to access the bridge from the Benin-Onitsha road,”. (NAN)
