Traffic Gridlock Imminent As Lagos Shuts Dopemu, Iyana-Ipaja Bridges

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Wednesday, March 12th, 2014

Traffic gridlock is imminent on Lagos-Abeokuta Road, Dopemu and Iyana-Ipaja areas of Lagos, Nigeria as the Lagos State Government has announced the closure of the Dopemu and Iyana-Ipaja bridges for repair.

Dr Kadiri Hamzat, Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure

The two bridges are critical to traffic situation in the area and when shut, there will be total paralysis in Egbeda, Dopemu, Agege, Iyana-Ipaja and the ever-busy Lagos-Abeokuta expressway.

The government announced on Tuesday that the two bridges would be shut down beginning from this Saturday for the repair works.

“The Lagos State Government through the CCECC will commence the maintenance of both the Dopemu and Iyana Ipaja Bridges from Saturday 15th March, 2014 to 5th April, 2014 hence the bridges will be closed to public use,” says a statement from the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation signed by Mr. Sina Thorpe, Assistant Director, Press and Public Relations.

The contractor would commence work at the Dopemu Bridge for the first ten days, Saturday 15th March, 2014 to Monday 24th March, 2014 and thereafter move to the Iyana Ipaja Bridge from Tuesday 25th March to Saturday 5th April, 2014.

Consequently, the government said vehicles approaching Dopemu Bridge from Ile- Zik inward Iyana Ipaja could make a u-turn back to Dopemu Bridge via the opened median along the Lagos – Abeokuta Expressway or take a left turn into Alimoso road and use the following link roads back to Akowonjo or Iyana Ipaja road. The link roads are: Irepodun Street, Alaguntan, Vincent Street, Akiwowo road and Cash Street, all off Alimoso road.

“Similarly, vehicles coming from Orile Agege and environs approaching Dopemu Bridge will take a right turn through Surulere road to link Lagos Abeokuta Expressway and make use of the open median barrier into the earlier mentioned link roads. In addition, vehicles from Akowonjo, Shasha going into Agege will go through Lagos Abeokuta Expressway and turn at Ile Zik back to Agege.

“Upon the completion of the maintenance work at Dopemu Bridge, the contractor would commence work at the Iyana Bridge, which is also expected to be completed within 10 days; within these periods, the bridge will also be closed to public use.

“Therefore, vehicles coming from Dopemu along Lagos- Abeokuta Expressway inward Iyana Bus stop and proposing to use the Iyana- Ipaja Bridge, will either make a u-turn back to Iyana-Ipaja Bridge or a left turn into Abule Oki Street at the proposed median Barrier opening along Lagos – Abeokuta Expressway, go through Chief Adebayo Street back to Iyana Ipaja Roundabout,” the statement said.

It added that vehicles coming from Iyana Ipaja road will also use the Abule Oki Street and navigate through Chief Adebayo Street back to Iyana Ipaja Roundabout, while vehicles coming from Iyana Ipaja road going into Ipaja road will have to go through Dopemu Bridge, saying that as a result, traffic re-routing would be carried out around these corridors to facilitate seamless flow of traffic.

“This notice serves as awareness information on the bridge closure. Motorists and other road users are therefore advised to use alternative routes provided to avoid delays. The State Government appeals for caution and co-operation from all road users by obeying all traffic regulations and ensure traffic flow during the period of closure.

“The State Government while regretting any inconveniences has directed all relevant agencies to ensure free flow of traffic,” it stated.