The traffic situation in Lagos worsened at the partial closure of Eko Bridge for repairs by the Federal Ministry of Works and the Lagos State government.
The bridge, which was closed from the Alaka end inwards Island resulted in serious traffic extending to the Fadeyi bus stop and also affecting inward Surulere.
Addressing newsmen in the early hours of Wednesday on the closure, Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu said the partial closure was necessary so as to carry out repairs on defective parts and joints of the bridge which was built in 1976 but has not been maintained since then.
“You can see there are spaces in the expansion joints. These are things we need to see how quickly they can be fixed. Our contractors are the original builder of the bridge so it’s for us to take full precautionary methods that is why we don’t want to take chances.
These are bridges not made to have trucks and containers packed on them. They are not designed for such usage,” the governor said.
” We will go back with Ministry of Transportation and do impact assessment and see where we can advise commuters to move to and provide adequate alternative routes. When we feel it’s safe to open it temporarily or fully, we will communicate,” he added.
The governor further said works are ongoing to maintain other defective bridges across the state and urged Lagosians to obey traffic rules so as to avoid too much congestion.
” Work is ongoing on Independence bridge, Falomo bridge, and Surulere bridge. There are also plans to work on the third mainland bridge and anywhere in the world where works like this are done, there is always diversion.
“Lagos is a massive city that is why alternative means of transportation are provided. We have traffic enforcement agency and if people can obey traffic officers and be patient, they can plan their journey ahead.
“We will continue to inform people on traffic situation. It will not be solved overnight. So people should obey traffic rules, it will ease movements on the road,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The government had earlier advised motorists to use alternative routes announced for those heading to Lagos Island from Funsho Williams Avenue through Iponri to Costain, connecting Eko Bridge through the National Theatre entry point.
“Motorists can also pass from Bode Thomas to Eric Moore Road and connect Abebe Village (Nigerian Breweries) to Costain to link their destination through national Theatre to Eko Bridge”, the travel advisory stated.
Other alternative routes provided are from National Stadium to connect Shitta Roundabout, onward to Adeniran Ogunsanya Road, Bode Thomas, Eric Moore to Abebe Village (Nigerian Breweries) and Costain to link destination through Eko Bridge. Motorists from Ojuelegba are also advised to ply Tejuoso through to Yaba, Murtala Mohammed Way to Oyingbo -Iddo -Otto to Idumota Bridge or Carter Bridge and connect their destination.
“Commuters from Agege Motor Road or Ikorodu Road should drive through Jibowu to connect Herbert Macaulay Way to Adekunle and 3rd Mainland Bridge towards Lagos Island or other destinations”, the statement further said.
