KEY POINTS
- Starting April 27 the Ijora Bridge in Lagos will shut entirely to perform essential maintenance work.
- Bridge safety enhancement and defective bearing replacement make up the scope of required repairs.
- The renovation period requires specific diversion routes to control traffic movements.
Lagos residents will experience the complete shutdown of the Ijora Bridge starting from April 27 as Federal Government officials pursue critical maintenance operations.
Lagos Federal Controller of Works Olukorede Kesha informed about the bridge closure during his inspection on Monday.
According to Kesha the bridge connecting Ijora Causeway and Apapa needs extensive maintenance because defective bearings found underneath the deck require replacement. Different phases of construction have led to this bridge receiving awards, FG closes Ijora bridge for this reasons.
The present stage of work demands that workers raise the entire bridge deck to replace its faulty bearing system underneath” she explained. The installation team has been assigned to replace all defective bearings located beneath the bridge deck.
Kesha reported that the bridge possessed various faulty bearings which required replacement throughout three distinct bridge sections while 50 faulty bearings needed change. Ijora Bridge serves Apapa which contains two of Nigeria’s most active ports named Tincan and Apapa ports therefore she emphasized its importance.
Kesha declared that public safety issues along with prevention of additional damage made the shutdown necessary though it will generate transportation problems. The project envisions two traffic redirection measures which include route redirection for drivers from Ijora through the Seven Up Roundabout to Apapa and heavy traffic vehicles must pass through Costain towards Iganmu.
Bridge closure and traffic diversions
Kesha informed commuter passengers that Federal Ministry of Work officials designed alternative traffic paths to reduce substantial congestion. The spokesperson requested public support together with cooperation because of the urgent bridge maintenance work.
She declared to citizens that the bridge would not collapse despite receiving complaints about strong bridge vibrations. Bearing weakness under the deck generated these vibrations according to expert analysis.
Significant maintenance on the Ijora Bridge becomes necessary after several decades of its existence. The first repair stage demands a full closure of the bridge deck for the operation of bearing replacement. For future stages of work that involve asphalt removal and replacement the authorities plan to perform activities on Sundays to decrease traffic disturbances.
FG closes Ijora bridge, public awareness and cooperation
Kesha emphasized the necessity of public understanding about the bridge closure because she had received official instructions from Minister of Works Sen. Dave Umahi to disseminate the closure information widely.
Public safety requires all residents to understand the bridge closure. The successful accomplishment of the project and repair of the bridge into its safer state depends on public support.
