A portion of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway will be shut today for reconstruction, signaling a harrowing traffic experience for travelers between the two cities.
Motorists plying Lagos-Ibadan expressway have been advised to take
alternative routes as rehabilitation on the Berger-Ogun River section
of the expressway, leading a partial closure of the expressway.
According to a traffic advisory by the Ogun State Traffic Compliance
and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) on Sunday, motorists were advised to
make use of alternative routes.
The alternative routes listed by the spokesman of TRACE, Babatunde
Akinbiyi, are Iyana Ipaja/Ota/Ifo/Abeokuta/Sagamu-Benin Ore
expressway; Victoria Island/Lekki/Epe/Ijebu-Ode-Benin/Ore expressway
or the Ikorodu/ Itoikin/ Ijebu-Ode-Benin/Ore expressway.
The failed portion of the road earmarked for repairs would have been shut earlier in August, but it was postponed because of the Redeemed Christian Church of God’s convention.
The failed portion of about 600 meters stretching from the Kara Cattle Market end inward Berger Bus Stop would be completed by the second week of December
Director of Highways, South West Federal Ministry of Works, Mr. Funso Adebiyi, said last week that the target was to complete that critical portion of the road before Christmas when more people would be traveling.
According to him, by December 15, the road would be opened substantially for the Yuletide season to avoid traffic jams.
He assured that the reconstruction would not suffer any financial hiccup as funds for the project were already domiciled with the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Agency (NSIA), adding that approval for release of such funds, rests with the President.
The Lagos-Shagamu interchange section is estimated to cost N113 billion.
Adebiyi, while conducting journalists on tour of the road, revealed that plans have been concluded to ensure smooth operation, indicating that traffic diversion on that portion would begin by September 2.
According to him, palliative work had been done on some portions around the area of diversion to ease traffic for commuters.
