The government of Oyo State has commended the contractor handling the reconstruction of Olodo bridge.
Commissioner for public works and transport, Professor Daud Kehinde, who represented Governor Seyi Makinde, at the opening of a section of the bridge, made this known over the weekend.
It would be recalled that a July 2023 heavy rainfall had rendered the road impassable.
Residents and commuters, for more than a year, have had to through hardship to move to and from their houses while economic and vehicular activities were almost paralyzed.
Sangodoyin, who also spoke about the need for construction of 35.6km Iwo road-Olodo bankโElesingodogboโOdo Oba (Oyo/Osun State boundary), explained that it was borne out of the passion of the current administration in Oyo State to concentrate energy on projects with potentials for expansion of the economy of the State and engineering a modern Oyo State.
โThe economic importance of this 35.6km stretch road which links Oyo State to Osun State cannot be overemphasized. The road was awarded to Messrs Peculiar Ultimate Concern Limited in September,2022. The rehabilitation aspect of the road project involving the repairs of existing hydraulic structure and overlaying of the asphaltic surface had commenced in earnest after the award of the road project and is still on-going.
โHowever, the heavy rainfall of July 4th, 2023 in which Egberi river overflew its banks at Olodo area due to the inadequacy of the existing 3.0m x 3.0m single box culvert rendered the road impassable. The anguish and economic losses that the state and her citizenry incurred in the wake of the flooding event were better imagined than experienced.
โTo God be the glory for the gift of a large hearted and forward looking Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, FNSE for the immediate award of a 2-20m span bridge across the Egberi river to relief the existing 3m x 3m box culvert. The bridge is also being handled by M/S Peculiar Ultimate Concern Limited. The Contractor had been up and doing since the flooding incident of July,2023 and had completed a wing of the dual carriageway bridge which we have gathered here to open today.
โThe major features of the bridge being opened today among other works are pilling works, construction of central piers, precast beams and slab, return/retaining wall, deck, parapet wall, approach slab and median. The pavement at the approaches of the bridge is made up of 200mm thick lateritic sub-base, 200mm thick stone base, 50mm asphaltic binder course and 40mm asphaltic concrete wearing course. The surfacing is completed with road lane marking
โThe successful completion of the first half of the bridge will enhance seamless movement of people, vehicles, goods and services and also serves as a link connecting Osun State,โ he added.
Speaking earlier, Peculiar Ultimate Concern Limitedโs Engr. Adeleke Olanrewaju, thanked the residents of Olodo area for their patience and cooperation, explaining that the completed bridge is made up of three lanes to ease movement of vehicles.
Adeleke appealed to the residents and road users to always obey the traffic management guidelines put in place to avoid traffic congestion on the bridge.
Speaking with newsmen, some residents of Olodo Bank Area, including the chairman, Olodo Baale Quarters, Mrs Felicia Oyelakin, Miss Olajire Oluwatosin and Alhaji Afolayan Sikiru, expressed great relief on the opening of the first section of the bridge for pedestrian and vehicular movements. They also appreciated Governor Makinde for the quick intervention.
