Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State on Monday flagged off the construction of a 2.38-kilometre flyover on the Oyemekun-Oba Adesida Road in Akure.

Mr Aiyedatiwa described the project as a strategic intervention, aimed at addressing persistent traffic congestion and promoting investment and economic growth in the state capital.

The flyover will run from Adegbola Junction through Ojaoba and Adegbemile-Omi Eja to St Mathias/NNPC Filling Station in Alagbaka.

The governor, while speaking at the flag-off ceremony, said the project formed part of his administration’s urban renewal and infrastructure development agenda.

He said the project would provide a modern transport solution to improve mobility, safety and the movement of people and goods along one of Akure’s busiest corridors.

“This is a long-awaited moment, and we are proud of the singular honour and privilege to formally flag off the construction of the flyover bridge along the Oyemekun–Oba Adesida Road corridor.

“The project will run from Adegbola Junction to St Mathias/NNPC Filling Station, Alagbaka, Akure, covering 2.38 kilometres,” Mr Aiyedatiwa said.

Mr Aiyedatiwa said the project followed careful planning, technical appraisal and extensive stakeholder engagement.

“It is the corridor through which the economic life of Akure pulses daily,” he said.

Mr Aiyedatiwa said the congestion around the Oba Adesida road had affected productivity, discouraged investment and compromised the safety and well-being of residents.

He said the flyover and associated road improvements would ease congestion around Adegbola, Oba Adesida and Alagbaka while reducing travel time, vehicle operating costs and air pollution caused by prolonged traffic delays.

“When traders at Oba Adesida Market can move their goods with ease, when students can get to school on time, when patients can reach hospitals without delay, and when workers can return home safely, then we would have succeeded in translating policy into tangible benefits,” he said.

Mr Aiyedatiwa charged the contractor handling the project to adhere strictly to the approved design, specifications and timelines.

He also urged the contractor to maintain high standards of professionalism, quality, safety, and integrity.

The governor appealed to residents, traders, transport unions and other stakeholders to cooperate with the government and contractor throughout the construction period.

He acknowledged that the project would result in temporary traffic diversions, relocation of some trading activities and disruption to normal routines.

Mr Aiyedatiwa said the project reflected his administration’s commitment to prudent fiscal management and the deployment of public resources to projects with clear and measurable benefits.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Abiola Olawoye, said the project became necessary because the road corridor was operating about 50 per cent above its design capacity.

Mr Olawoye said the ministry considered various options for addressing the traffic challenge before settling on the flyover as the most practical solution.

He said the Ojaoba–Adesida Road was constructed as a major township road around 1974 in the defunct Western State and converted to a dual carriageway in 1978.

According to him, the road was expanded from 7.3 metres to 9.3 metres in 2001, with no major construction on the corridor since then despite the increase in population and vehicular traffic.

He said the government opted for the flyover instead of extensive demolition of properties along the corridor.

Mr Olawoye said the structure would comprise a 320-metre starting ramp and a 200-metre ending ramp, with the remaining 1.88 kilometres constituting the bridge proper.

He said the bridge would comprise 94 spans and 94 piers supported by 800-millimetre-diameter piles.

The commissioner said the project would also involve improvements to the existing walkways and hydraulic structures to maintain the road’s carriageway.

Speaking, the Deji of Akure, Aladetoyinbo Aladelusi, commended Aiyedatiwa for initiating the flyover and the reconstruction of adjoining roads.

The traditional ruler said the projects would improve movement and address transportation challenges on major corridors in the state capital.

The managing director of Bulletin Construction Company, Faysal Harb, said the company had been entrusted with executing the project.

Mr Harb, while recalling the company’s involvement in the expansion of Ilesha Garage Road about 20 years ago, said the project would be its second major undertaking in Ondo State.

He assured the governor and residents that the project would be completed according to specifications and within the agreed timeline. 

(NAN)