By Alex Akao
One of the bridges leading to the Apapa ports, the Marine Bridge is to be shut for yet another emergency repair works.
The Lagos State Government which on Thursday announced the closure of a section of the strategic bridge for what it called, “emergency repair”, said the exercise will last for four months.
The forthcoming closure of the bridge would be sixth of such exercises since 2016, in each occasion ranging from three months to six months. It was closed for six months in 2016, four months in 2017, six months in 2018, five months in 2020 and three months in 2021.
This year, the bridge was also partially closed for three months from Monday 17th January to Saturday 2nd April 2022, similarly “for emergency repair works”.
A statement issued by the Lagos state Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde said the latest closure of the bridge would begin from Saturday August 20 to Tuesday December 20, 2022.
He said the closure was due to the notification received from the Federal Ministry of Works on the ongoing emergency repair works of the Marine Bridge.
Oladeinde said the closure would affect the Apapa outbound lane of the bridge and thus released traffic diversion plan.
“According to the rehabilitation schedule contained in the notification, traffic outbound Apapa will be diverted to the inbound lane to give way for a contra flow as the Apapa outbound lane will be closed for repairs,” he said.
Oladeinde assured that the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) would be on ground to direct traffic in addition to traffic guides to ameliorate inconveniences to motorists.
He implored motorists to be patient as the measures taken are aimed at providing quality and safe road infrastructure for everyone.
