Third Mainland Bridge

A ribbon of concrete across the lagoon, the Third Mainland Bridge is one of the longest bridges in Africa, sweeping for roughly eleven kilometres over the Lagos lagoon to link the island districts with the sprawling mainland. Opened in 1990, it became a vital artery for a city whose geography of islands and creeks makes movement a daily challenge.

Its scale reflects the demands of a megacity. Carrying huge volumes of traffic each day, the bridge connects the commercial heart of Lagos Island and Ikoyi with the densely populated mainland suburbs, and for many commuters it is the difference between a workable journey and gridlock. The long, low span rides on countless piles driven into the lagoon bed.

The crossing offers sweeping views. From its length, drivers and passengers look out over the water to the distinctive stilted fishing community of Makoko, with its wooden houses and canoes, and across to the city's growing skyline. At dawn and dusk the light on the lagoon can be striking, though stopping is not permitted on the busy carriageway.

For visitors, the bridge is experienced in passing rather than as a destination, most often while travelling between the airport, the mainland and the islands. Guides and drivers point out the views of Makoko and the lagoon along the way, and the sheer length of the structure gives a vivid sense of the scale of Lagos. Periodic maintenance closures make it a frequent topic in local news, underlining how central it is to the life of the city. As a feat of engineering and a daily lifeline for millions, the Third Mainland Bridge is one of the defining structures of modern Lagos.