There is hardly anyone in Lagos metropolis who has not made use of the imposing Third Mainland Bridge that connects the Lagos Mainland with the Island.

Aside from the fact that the bridge connects Oworonshoki, which links Apapa-Oshodi express way and Lagos-Ibadan express way, on the Mainland to the Adeniji Adele Interchange on Lagos Island, many users lack any other knowledge of the bridge.

For a fact, if asked why the bridge is called “Third Mainland”, a lot of people will fail at the answer. Just so you know, it is referred to as Third Mainland Bridge because it is the third of the three bridges that connects Lagos Island with the Mainland – the other two being the Eko and Carter Bridges.

SO WHAT ELSE ABOUT THIRD MAINLAND BRIDGE DON’T YOU KNOW?

Here are a few facts about the bridge that should be, but is not, common knowledge to the everyday road user in Lagos metropolis.

IT HOLDS A RECORD

It is the second longest bridge in Africa and the longest in West Africa. It was actually the longest until the 6th October Bridge in Cairo Egypt was commissioned in 1996.

THE LENGTH

The bridge spans a massive 11.8km in length. This means it will take approximately 10 – 15 minutes drive to cover the length of the bridge.

NAME

Yeah! We all know it as Third Mainland Bridge. However, the official name of the bridge is Ibrahim Babangida Bridge.

WHO BUILT IT?

This should be an easy guess if it came as a street trivia question. The bridge was constructed by German construction company, Julius Berger.

LANES?

In spite of the huge traffic that is experienced on the bridge, it is not a narrow one at all. The bridge actually spans eight lanes in width – maybe there are just too many car users in Lagos.