Africa’s Longest Bridge Lost Its Title in 1996

Third Mainland Bridge was Africa’s longest.

Third Mainland Bridge connects Lagos Island to its mainland.

The bridge starts at Oworonshoki and ends at Adeniji Adele.

A long bridge over Lagos Lagoon near University of Lagos.

The bridge was built in two phases by different contractors.

Phase one finished in 1980; phase two completed in 1990.

The bridge’s total length measures about 11.8 kilometres.

By 2006, people reported the bridge was vibrating noticeably.

Partial closures allowed repairs that finished in January 2013.

In 2012, the bridge was repainted with Nigeria’s green and white.

This eight-lane bridge handles heavy weekday traffic volumes.

Passengers see Lagos Lagoon, University of Lagos and Makoko below.

The bridge closed for six months starting July 24, 2020.

January 2024 saw the announcement for complete bridge repairs.

It connects Lagos Island to the mainland across the lagoon.