Nearly 15 months after the Federal Government closed the Eko bridge for major repairs, the Lagos State Government has reopened it to vehicular traffic.
What Led to the Closing of Eko Bridge?
More Read
Eko bridge was badly damaged as a result of fire outbreak last year which was also traced to illegal trading under the carriage.
Being one of the three bridges linking the mainland to the island, the inferno weakened major components and supporting pillars and this led to the closure for extensive repairs.
Excited road users couldn’t hide their joy at the news on Saturday and they thronged out to receive the Governor noting how they’ve been relieved of the pains to transit to and fro Lagos Island due to the closure.
Lagos State Government Reactions at the Reopening
At the reopening of the flyover, Governor Sanwo-Olu appreciated the people’s patience on behalf of the Federal Government and explained that despite the completion of repair works at the Apogbon axis, there will be maintenance work on the infrastructure and this would lead to intermittent closures in the coming months.
Sanwo-Olu was joined at the event by the Federal Comptroller of Works, Engr. Olukorede Keisha.
“It is with great delight to announce that we have carried out comprehensive tests with the contractor from the Federal Ministry of Works and we believe that Apogbon section of the Eko Bridge can now be opened for motorists. But the maintenance work on the entire bridge has not completed. There are lots of bearings that still need to be reinforced along the entire stretch of the infrastructure.
“In future, there will be more intermittent closures at different sections of the bridge but the period may not be longer than one or two weeks. This is necessary for us to jerk up the bridge and complete the maintenance work. We are reopening the bridge to bring relief to road users, who have endured hardship due to the repair work.”
During the course of repairs, the contractor will also be reconstructing ancillary roads along the corridor to prevent further misuse of the bridge, Mr. Governor noted.
