•Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State
In anticipation of emergency repairs on the Independence/Mekwen Bridge (inbound Marina/CMS route), the Lagos State Government has implemented a two-month traffic diversion plan.
The planned period for the repairs is March 19 to May 26, reports Daily Independent.
During the restoration period, the impacted area—from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) through Bonny Camp Bridge to Independence Bridge — will be off-limits to automobile traffic, according to a statement released yesterday by Transportation Commissioner Oluwaseun Osiyemi.
Officers from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority would be sent to control traffic and minimize interruptions while repairs are being made, Lagos residents have been promised.
“Similarly, the service lane at Bonny Camp Underpass Bridge (inbound Independence Bridge) will not be accessible to motorists,” Mr Osiyemi said.
“However, the service lane from Ahmadu Bello Way to Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue will remain open to traffic.”
To ease congestion, the government has outlined the following alternative routes:
From Ahmadu Bello Way, take Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, turn onto Akin Adesola Street, continue to the Falomo Roundabout, and then take Obafemi Awolowo Road to Ring Road in order to go to Victoria Island.
It is recommended that drivers who are traveling via Ahmadu Bello Way to the Third Mainland Bridge take Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, go via Akin Adesola Street, connect Alfred Rewane Road to Osborne Road, and then connect to Ring Road.
When driving from Ahmadu Bello Way to Inner Marina/CMS, drivers are expected to take Akin Adesola Street to Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, continue to Falomo Roundabout, and then connect Obafemi Awolowo Road to JK Randle Road/King George V Road.
Traffic will be kept moving smoothly for drivers going from Inner Marina/CMS to Ahmadu Bello Way.
Mr. Osiyemi gave Lagos residents the assurance that during the repair phase, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) staff would be sent to control traffic flow and minimize interruptions.
He asked drivers to be patient, pointing out that the partial closure is a component of the larger asphalt pavement rehabilitation project in the impacted areas.
The Office of the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos is executing the repairs on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Works.
