Partial closure of Lagos – Ibadan expressway begins Monday

Motorists plying the Lagos – Ibadan expressway are in for a more chaotic traffic movement due to the rehabilitation work on the Berger-Ogun River section of the expressway.

Following the rehabilitation works, the expressway is expected to be closed partially for four months as the contractor handling the section of the road begins massive rehabilitation works on the section.

The partial closure was scheduled for August before it was shifted.

But the four-month closure is expected to begin on Monday September 2, 2019 as motorists were being advised to steer clear of the section.

Our correspondent reports that on Sunday night that ahead of the closure, the contractor had already barricaded the section where extensive works would be carried out.

Also it was observed that vehicular movement into Lagos was heavy today as some Lagosians who had travelled outside the state were said to be returning to avoid being stuck in the closure.

According to a traffic advisory issued on Sunday by the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), motorists were advised make use of alternative routes.

The alternative routes listed by the spokesman of TRACE, Babatunde Akinbiyi, are Iyana Ipaja/Ota/Ifo/Abeokuta/Sagamu-Benin Ore expressway; Victoria Island/Lekki/Epe/Ijebu-Ode-Benin/Ore expressway or the Ikorodu/ Itoikin/ Ijebu-Ode-Benin/Ore expressway.

Akinbiyi said: “In view of the imminent closure of inbound Lagos traffic along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway for reconstruction and rehabilitation work on the 600km stretch of the corridor to be carried out from Berger (New Garage Bus Stop) – Ogun River (Kara Bridge), scheduled for Monday, 2nd September-Sunday, 15th December, 2019, the general public, particularly the motoring public, is hereby apprised of the need to plan their journey, add more time to their travelling time and take necessary precaution.

“From Monday, 2nd September, 2019, inbound traffic (movement) from Kara Bridge to Berger would be sealed off and diverted into the same carriageway along the expressway conveying traffic outbound Lagos, thereby making both inbound and outbound traffic to be accommodated on the same section of the expressway. Moreover, traffic will then be diverted back into the road going inward Lagos at Berger intersection linking River Valley Estate, where normal journey resumes inward Lagos.

“Furthermore, outbound Lagos traffic would be divided into two (2) lanes, both ways from the intersection linking Isheri/Olowora Kara Bridge, where the road diversion ends and normalcy resumes inward Sagamu.”