By Uzor Odigbo
The Lagos State government has announced the closure of the Marine bridge partially for three months for emergency repair works on the Apapa outward section of the bridge.
The closure date is expected to begin on Tuesday, March 9 to Monday, June 21, 2021, according to a statement titled, ‘‘LASG to close Marine bridge for emergency repairs,” and signed by the Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde.
The statement released by the Ministry of Transportation on Friday, Oladeinde also explained that the partial closure was necessary to maintain the bridge infrastructure which includes removal and cleaning of the existing expansion joints to prevent further deterioration.
He also explained that during the period of the partial closure, traffic will be diverted to alternative routes, while Apapa inward lane will be divided into two lanes to allow counter flow of traffic.
To ameliorate the effect of the expected traffic, palliative works have been completed on alternative routes to ease movement.
Motorists inwards Apapa were advised to make use of Total underneath the bridge to connect Naval Dockyard to Danlami to Leventis corridor and/or to connect Marine Beach by Mobil through Federal Fire Service/Obanikoro to Naggaf/North Avenue to Wharf Road, according to the statement.
Similarly, motorists from Ajegunle inwards Iganmu/or Ijora were directed to use Agbo Malu to Tego Barracks to Total underneath the bridge and ascend Marine bridge to connect their desired destinations.
The commissioner assured that officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority will be deployed to alternative routes to manage traffic encumbrances.
The statement implored motorists that ply these corridors to be patient as the measures taken are aimed at providing quality and safe road infrastructure for everyone.