The Federal Government on Tuesday announced traffic diversion on the Lagos-Sagamu axis of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway for 72 hours to enable the contractor install a bridge beam.
The government, as a result, has urged motorists plying that axis to consider using alternative routes or be ready to follow the diversion guidelines.
This disclosure was made by the Federal Controller of Works for Lagos State, Engineer Kayode Popoola, who said the 3-day diversion would last between Wednesday, July 28 and Friday, July 30.
What the Federal Controller of Works for Lagos State is saying
Popoola explained that the diversion of traffic on that route was to allow for the casting of a beam of an overhead bridge at the km 37 plus 100 axis of the road close to Makun in Ogun State.
The Controller said traffic would be diverted on a stretch of just 400 meters around the construction zone where beams are to be laid on the flyover under construction at Makun near Sagamu Interchange.
He said, “As part of the progress achieved on the road construction, the contractor will launch the beams and that will take us about 72 hours.
Diversion has been created about 800 meters away, 400 before and 400 after the point of the construction. Any vehicle coming from Ibadan coming towards Makun at kilometre 37 plus 100 would have to shift to Lagos bound lane and would join its original lane 400 meters after.
It’s not like we’re trying to close the Lagos-Ibadan or that there is going to be any gridlock. We’re only using this opportunity to tell the public that it’s only 72 hours that the diversion will be created. It’s not partial closure and it’s not total closure.”
While debunking reports that the road will be closed for 3 months, Popoola asked motorists to watch out for road signs and follow safety guidelines.
What you should know
It can be recalled that in November 2020, the Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola stated that the Federal Government was committed to finishing the Lagos-Ibadan expressway despite the drop in oil prices.
Section I of the project was the rehabilitation, reconstruction, and expansion of the Lagos-Ibadan dual carriageway of about 43.6km commencing from the old toll gate at Oregun/Ikosi-Ketu Lagos and terminating at Shagamu Interchange in Ogun State. The project is being handled by Julius Berger.
The second phase was 84km, starting from Sagamu Interchange to Ibadan, and was being handled by RCC.
The Federal Government had also in December 2020, announced a 48-hour partial closure of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway from December 28 to December 29 to complete some work on a flyover bridge. The contractor, Messers Julius Berger was to install cross beams at Kilometre 16; that is, around MFM.
