The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Olukorede Kesha, has informed that the Marine Bridge would be closed for repairs for 60 days as from Sunday, April 27.
Kesha informed that the closure, which will last for 60 days, was aimed at replacing 50 defective bearings across three sections of the bridge. He added that the repair work would be carried out in phases to minimize disruption, with each section scheduled for 20 days of closure.
“We have three sections to be closed for repairs, and we will be changing about 50 bearings.
“The first section is at the beginning of the bridge, so we will close it for 20 days. The second section is at the middle of the bridge; that one we may not close, we will do traffic diversion there. The third part will be closed for another 20 days where the bridge meets Apapa.
“The total closure period will span 60 days, with the first 20 days being the most critical, as the initial section will be fully shut. For the subsequent phases, diversions will allow partial access”, she said.
The Comptroller advised that vehicles use alternative routes to ease movement:
“If you’re a heavily loaded articulated truck, there’s no need for you to come to Ijora. From Costain, link Iganmu and from there, link Apapa straight.
“For smaller vehicles, you go straight to Ijora 7Up. You will not have the opportunity to climb the bridge to Apapa. If you still want to go to Apapa through Ijora Causeway to Ijora 7Up, after the roundabout at Ijora 7Up, you just turn left. There’s an access ramp that takes you up that bridge again”, she said.
Kesha hinted that repairs would also start on other bridges:
“All the bridges in Lagos are receiving attention. You will agree with me that most of those bridges, they are aged, they are so old, and if we cannot replace them, then we need to put them in good shape so that it will be a safe place for all of us to ride on.
“We still intend to do a press briefing with major stakeholders, and then we’re going to invite all the union leaders,” she said, ensuring drivers, especially of articulated trucks, are informed in advance”, she said.
The Marine Bridge serves as a crucial link between Lagos Island and Apapa, a major port and industrial area.
