FG to close Ijora Bridge April 27 for urgent repair

 

 

Maureen Aguta

 

Motorists in Lagos State will face a major diversion from April 27 as the Federal Government begins full closure of the Ijora Bridge to carry out urgent repair works.

The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, confirmed the development during a site inspection on Monday.

She explained that the project had reached its final phase, which involved lifting the bridge deck and replacing faulty bearings beneath.

“This bridge has been awarded for some time now in different phases,” she said. “We are now at the final phase, which involves lifting the entire bridge deck to change the faulty bearings beneath.”

According to her, about 50 bearings have become defective and will be replaced across three separate sections of the bridge.

She noted the strategic importance of the Ijora Bridge, which links Ijora Causeway to the Apapa area, where the Tincan and Apapa ports are located.

Kesha admitted that the closure may inconvenience the public but maintained that it is necessary to ensure safety.

“It won’t collapse, but it definitely needs help. If you drive on the bridge now, you will feel vibrations. That is because the bearings, the spring-like supports under the deck, have weakened significantly,” she said.

She added that this would be the first major repair work on the bridge since it was constructed decades ago.

While the deck lifting will require full closure, she hinted that other activities like asphalt replacement could be done in stages, possibly on Sundays.

To reduce expected congestion, Kesha said motorists coming from Ijora would be diverted through the Seven Up Roundabout towards Apapa, while heavy-duty trucks would use the Costain–Iganmu route.

She assured that the Federal Ministry of Works had carefully planned the diversion routes to minimise disruption.

She also revealed that the ministry had received complaints from road users about unusual vibrations, which prompted the urgency of the repairs.

“We want members of the public to know that this is for their safety. With their cooperation, we can finish this work in time and restore the bridge to a much safer condition,” she said.

Kesha concluded by stating that the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has directed that the closure be widely publicised to keep the public fully informed.