Lagos shuts Eko bridge for nine weeks over repair works

….Announces alternate routes

The federal government, in collaboration with the Lagos state government said emergency repair work on the Eko Bridge from Costain to Alaka will commence with partial closure from June 4 to August 13, 2021.

Olukayode Popoola, federal controller of works in Lagos and Fredric Oladeinde, Lagos state commissioner for transportation, while announcing this in separate statements, explained that, the repairs were necessary to complete the rehabilitation at the opposite side of the bridge earlier embarked upon by the Federal Government.

Lagos state government said it had prepared alternative routes for motorists during the period of repairs, while the federal controller of works appealed to the public to shun rumours that the bridge would be closed on Friday, May 28. He promised that, the construction would be fast-tracked to minimise discomfort for road users.

According to the statement, which read in part, “The Federal Government shall embark on the rehabilitation of Eko bridge and to facilitate early completion. The bridge shall be closed from midnight of Friday 4th of June until Friday 13th of August. “The motoring public are advised to disregard the rumour going on that Eko bridge shall be closed from Friday 28th of May. The Federal Government regrets the inconveniences this may cause the public.”

Meanwhile, Lagos commissioner, Oladeinde, said alternative routes had been made available for motorists during the period of repairs. He said, “Traffic from Apongbon to Alaka, stadium, inner Surulere or Ikorodu road will be diverted to Eko Bridge to access Costain roundabout to Iponri, through Alaka and Funsho Williams Avenue.

Similarly, motorists from Eko bridge will have to navigate their desired destinations through Costain roundabout to Abebe Village (by Nigerian Breweries Plc) through Eric Moore to Bode Thomas to Adeniran Ogunsanya, to access Shitta Roundabout by Stadium under the bridge to Funsho Williams Avenue to Dorman-Long Bridge and Fadeyi-Ikorodu road.

Motorists can gain access to Apongbon through CMS Outer Marina Road to connect Ebute Metta Ikorodu road to access their destinations. Apongbon through CMS to Outer Marina to Adeniji Adele, Third Mainland Bridge, Adekunle to Herbert Macaulay Way, Jibowu and Ikorodu road will also be available.” He added that traffic directions and road signals would be made available to minimize inconveniences throughout the construction period.

 Mike Ochonma