Eko Bridge closed for repairs

By Oziegbe Okoeki

The traffic jam in Lagos worsened on Wednesday, following 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 inward Lagos Island, resulted in traffic extending up to the Fadeyi bus stop and affected inward Surulere.

Addressing reporters yesterday on the closure, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said that the partial closure was necessary to carry out repairs on defective parts of the bridge, which was built in 1976 but had not been maintained since then.

He said: “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 builders of the bridge, so it’s for us to take full precautionary methods. This is why we don’t want to take chances.

“These are bridges not made to have trucks and containers parked on them. They are not designed for such usage.”

“We will go back to the Ministry of Transportation, do impact assessment and see where we can advise commuters to move to and provide alternative routes. When we feel it’s safe to open it temporarily or fully, we will communicate,” the governor added.

Read Also: Lagosians groan as FG, LASG closes Eko Bridge for repairs

He said that work was ongoing to maintain other defective bridges across the state and urged Lagosians to obey traffic rules to avoid congestion.

“Work is ongoing on Independence Bridge, Falomo Bridge and Surulere Bridge. There are also plans to work on the Third Mainland Bridge. Anywhere in the world where works like this are done, there is always diversion.

“Lagos is a big city; this 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 about the traffic situation. It will not be solved overnight. So, people should obey traffic rules. It will ease movement on the road,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The government advised motorists to use alternative routes announced for those heading for 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 and link their destination through National Theatre to Eko Bridge,” the travel advisory said.

“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 advised to ply Tejuoso 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 Third Mainland Bridge towards Lagos Island or other destinations,” the statement added.