The Federal Ministry of Works has announced a 60-day closure of the Marine Bridge in Lagos beginning from Sunday, April 27, as part of ongoing structural repairs.

Speaking on Channels Television?s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday, the Federal Controller of Works for Lagos State, Olukorede Kesha, said the first section at the beginning of the bridge would require a full closure for 20 days.

The initial closure is expected to significantly impact traffic flow around Apapa, Ijora, and Iganmu.

She explained that the Marine Bridge, often confused with the Ijora Bridge, would undergo phased repairs that involve lifting the bridge at three critical sections to replace worn-out bearings.

?This phase of the repair involves replacing about 50 bearings,? Kesha said.

?To do that, we need to lift the bridge at specific points. The first section at the beginning of the bridge will require a full closure for 20 days,? she added.

Partial diversions

According to Kesha, the subsequent stages of the project will involve partial diversions rather than total shutdowns.

?The second section is around the middle of the bridge, and we plan to divert traffic there. The two lanes from Iganmu will be merged, so we can shift traffic to one side for another 20 days,? she noted.

The federal controller explained that the final section of work would focus on the descent of the bridge into Apapa, near Area B Police Command.

There, she said, traffic would again be diverted for an additional 20 days, making the full project span approximately 60 days.

However, the controller emphasised that the most critical impact on traffic will occur in the first 20 days due to the full closure.

Alternative Routes For Heavy-duty Trucks

The controller advised motorists, particularly heavy-duty truck drivers, to consider alternative routes to ease congestion.

?If you?re an articulated truck (driver), don?t come through Ijora. From Costain, link Iganmu and head straight to Apapa,? she advised.

?Smaller vehicles or trucks with business around Ijora 7UP can turn left at the roundabout and use the access route up to the bridge,? she added.

Kesha acknowledged that a similar unscheduled closure earlier in April had caused a near-total lockdown of traffic in parts of Lagos.

She assured that this time, public notifications and diversion plans have been communicated early to minimise disruption.

Motorists were urged to obey road signs, follow diversion markings, and stay tuned to traffic advisories throughout the repair period. (Channels TV)

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