Lagos State Government Initiates Six-Week Traffic Diversion for Apongbon Bridge Upgrades

The Lagos State Government has declared a six-week traffic diversion aimed at facilitating repair works on the Apongbon Bridge along with the surrounding service lanes.

In a statement released on X on Wednesday, Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, detailed that the Federal Ministry of Works is responsible for addressing sections of the ramp linking Inner Marina to Apongbon Bridge that have deteriorated, alongside specific areas of the bridge’s inbound and outbound lanes.

The repair efforts are set to commence on Thursday and will continue until 19 March.

To promote safety and ensure the effective implementation of the repairs, the announcement indicated that certain sections of the affected routes will temporarily close, with alternative pathways planned for drivers.

Inbound traffic from Inner Marina is to be redirected through the Apongbon under-bridge roundabout towards Adeniji Adele Road, then on to Ebute Ero to reach the ramp linking Apongbon and Eko bridges.

Motorists coming from Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Third Mainland Bridge, and Victoria Island will be allowed to use the Apongbon Bridge heading towards Eko Bridge.

While repairs are undertaken on the inbound main lane, traffic originating from TBS and nearby routes will exit at the under-bridge roundabout, travel via Inner Marina, reconnect with the Apongbon service lane, and proceed to Eko Bridge.

Once the inbound repairs are finished, the focus will shift to the outbound lanes. Vehicles traveling from Eko Bridge to Inner Marina will divert through Ebute Ero Ramp and Adeniji Adele Road to reach the Apongbon under-bridge roundabout.

Traffic directing to Outer Marina, CMS, Victoria Island, and Third Mainland Bridge will maintain their route on the bridge, save during repairs on the outbound main carriageway, when diversions via Ebute Ero Ramp, Leventis, and Outer Marina/CMS will be enforced.

Drivers heading towards Inner Marina will turn off onto Chapel Street to redirect to the under-bridge roundabout.

These repairs come almost three years after significant fire damage occurred in March 2022 that severely affected sections of both Apongbon and Eko bridges, resulting in extended closures and the need for structural repairs.

The incident also led to the demolition of illegal constructions beneath the bridge. Following approximately 15 months of restoration work, the Federal Government reopened the bridge in July 2023, although palliative situations continued intermittently afterwards.

Mr. Osiyemi encouraged motorists to remain patient and follow traffic management directives, assuring that personnel would be deployed to ease congestion during the repair phase.