The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Engr. Umar Bakare has stated that a section of Eko Bridge closed to vehicular traffic would be open by May 31.
Bakare said that rehabilitation works on the bridge is ongoing, especially at the fire-damaged section of Apongbon.
In a statement, on Sunday, he added that work is being concentrated on the restoration of the structural defect caused by the inferno, and once this is completed, he revealed that the bridge will be opened to traffic by the 31st of May, 2023 while work will continue on the other sections of the rehabilitated bridge.
He sought the cooperation of the Motoring public in terms of compliance with traffic rules and regulations which will further improve movement around the construction zones.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State government has reiterated its commitment to constant consultation with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing on traffic management on the construction corridor of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway even as the work is ramping up to completion.
In order to improve traffic, particularly around construction zones on Opic, Kara, and Berger axis, Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, who was on tour duty of the construction zones at weekend, assured the motoring public that he will continue to hold strategic meetings with the Federal Ministry of Works and its project engineers to review the mode of works and proffer solutions that can ease the strain of traffic impact faced by road users.
Assuring the motoring public that the Federal Government is working to complete the project at record time as announced by the Minister of Works and Housing, the Commissioner stated that the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, (LASTMA), its Ogun State counterpart, TRACE are working in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Commission, (FRSC) to ease the gridlock on the corridor.
While expressing sympathy for the plight being experienced by motorists on the corridor, the Transport Commissioner appeal for calm as the construction works will soon come to an end.
Disclosing updates on the construction works, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Bakare explained that, the three existing lanes which the contractor usually worked with had to be reduced to 2 at each of the construction sections, thereby resulting in traffic buildup, he assured that the FRSC, LASTMA, and TRACE are usually on site to control traffic.
He said the contractor is rounding up work around Opic and with the completion of the Asphalt works, the section will be open to traffic by Monday while the Berger axis too will be completed by the end of the month of April.
The Controller of Works further explained that the contractor has increased the number of working gangs to 4 in order to increase the spate of work towards meeting up with the deadline of April.
