The Lagos State Government has announced traffic diversion at Marine Bridge in Lagos for a period of 12 weeks.
The diversion of traffic at the bridge is to allow the Federal Government commence emergency repair works on different sections of the bridge from Wednesday, September 29, to Thursday, December 23, 2021.
This disclosure is contained in a statement issued by the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, on Tuesday in Lagos.
What the government is saying about the closure of the bridge
Oladeinde explained that the repairs will be done in phases for minimal inconvenience to motorists, adding that the Ijora-bound lane will be closed to vehicular movement during the first phase, while the Apapa-bound lane would be subsequently shut for the second phase.
While breaking down the traffic diversion plan, the Commissioner revealed that motorists heading towards the Ijora axis will be diverted into a counter-flow on the Apapa-bound lane and vice versa when the Apapa-bound lane is closed for repairs, to reduce traffic gridlock during the course of the project.
Oladeinde further stated that the officers of the State’s Traffic Management Agency, LASTMA, would direct traffic, in addition to strategically placed traffic signs on the routes, to guide vehicular movement during the stipulated period.
He also solicited the cooperation of residents and road-users towards the successful commencement and completion of the emergency works, reiterating the present administration’s commitment to the development of transport infrastructure across the metropolis.
What you should know
This is not the first time the state government is announcing the planned closure of the Marine Bridge.
Recall that the Lagos State Government announced the partial closure of the Marine Bridge from Tuesday, March 9 to Monday, June 21, 2021, for emergency repair works on the Apapa outward section of the bridge.
The Lagos State Government had also in March 2021, announced the planned shutdown of Falomo Bridge for 6 weeks with effect from Sunday, March 14, 2021, following approval from the Federal Government for repair works on the bridge which was expected to be completed on April 30, 2021.
However, the execution of these projects by the government were later suspended.