Repair Work To Begin On Ijora Bridge As FG Announces Full Closure

By Olusegun Ajileye

Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, Mrs Olukorede Kesha has announced full closure of the Ijora Bridge in Lagos state, Nigeria, beginning from April 27, for critical repair works.

Mrs Kesha made this known during an inspection of the bridge on Monday.

She said that the bridge connecting Ijora Causeway to Apapa needed comprehensive repairs, particularly, replacement of defective bearings beneath the deck.

Kesha said the bridge has been awarded for some time now in different phases.

“We are now at the final phase, which involves lifting the entire bridge deck to change the faulty bearings beneath”

“A lot of the bearings are defective, and approximately 50 of them will be replaced across three sections.”

She stressed the importance of the Ijora Bridge as a major route leading to Apapa, home to two of Nigeria’s busiest ports, Tincan and Apapa ports.

While acknowledging the disruption the closure would cause, said that it was necessary for the safety of commuters and to prevent further deterioration.

Kesha who reassured the public that the Federal Ministry of Works had carefully planned the diversion routes and did not anticipate major issues announced that, to manage expected gridlock, motorists approaching from Ijora would be redirected through the Seven Up Roundabout to reconnect to Apapa.

She said that heavy-duty vehicles would be diverted via Costain through Iganmu to access Apapa.

She appealed to road users for understanding and cooperation, promised that the repairs would be time-sensitive.

Kesha who argued that the bridge would not collapse, admitted the bridge needed urgent attention.

“These repairs, she added, would be the first major work on the Ijora Bridge since it was constructed decades ago.

However, subsequent activities such as removing and replacing the asphalt might be done in stages, possibly on Sundays, to reduce traffic disruption, according to the official.

She noted that the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, had mandated that any bridge closure must be widely publicized.