The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project is a major initiative aimed at connecting two of Nigeria’s major coastal cities, facilitating easier movement of people and goods across the southern coast.
This large-scale infrastructure effort is expected to enhance regional connectivity, boost business growth, and improve transportation efficiency.
As one of Nigeria’s most ambitious projects, the highway is envisioned to play a pivotal role in transforming the economic and social landscape along the southern coast. Here are five important facts about the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway:
- Scope and Size The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway is Nigeria’s largest infrastructure project, stretching over 700 kilometers. It will connect Lagos, the country’s commercial hub in the west, to Calabar, a key port city in the east.
- Cost The total estimated cost for constructing the highway is N15 trillion, equating to approximately N4 billion per kilometer. This significant investment underscores the project’s scale and anticipated impact.
- Construction Timeline The highway will be constructed in phases over an expected eight-year period. The initial phase involves a 47.47-kilometer dual carriageway with five lanes on each side and a central train track, demonstrating the project’s complexity and extensive design.
- Route and Reach The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway will traverse several states, providing critical links between major urban centers. Starting from Lagos, it will pass through Ogun, Ondo, Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Akwa Ibom, eventually reaching Cross River. The design also includes two spurs that extend toward northern states.
- Purpose and Impact The highway’s primary aim is to improve connectivity and promote economic growth across Nigeria’s southern coast. It will establish efficient links between key urban centers, ports, and economic hubs. Additionally, the project is expected to unlock new premium land and beachfront areas, reduce congestion in Lekki, and potentially cut travel time from Lagos to Calabar from 12 hours to 7 hours.
