Nigeria’s president Goodluck Jonathan officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony for the project, which will link the states of Anambra and Delta.
The 1,590m bridge is being constructed as part of an 11.9km road through a design, build, finance, operate and transfer model with a 25-year concession period. The construction cost of the scheme is about US$703 million.
It is being built almost 50 years after the existing bridge opened to traffic. Jonathan said that the project is of strategic national importance and will massively improve road transportation in the south-east. “No stone has been left unturned in ensuring the success of the project, considering the several unsuccessful attempts by past administrations to deliver this vital bridge,” he said.
He added that the scheme is one of two important bridges being built as part of his administration’s agenda for the roads sector; work is progressing satisfactorily on the other scheme, the Loko-Oweto Bridge linking Nassarawa and Benue States across the River Benue.
