The Lagos State Government has announced the successful completion of the first phase of the routine maintenance and rehabilitation of the Odo Iya Alaro Bridge in Kosofe Local Government Area. The project, a part of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s ongoing infrastructure renewal efforts, has been completed ahead of schedule.
The update was shared by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Engineer Olufemi Daramola, during an inspection visit to the bridge.
Accompanied by officials from the Office of Infrastructure and the Ministry of Transportation, Engr. Daramola highlighted that the rehabilitation was divided into two phases, focusing on the Ojota-bound and Yaba/Maryland-bound lanes.
“We are pleased to announce that the repair work on the inward Ojota carriageway has been completed ahead of time,” said Daramola. “We will commence work on the inward Maryland carriageway by the end of this week, ensuring that the project continues to progress efficiently.”
The maintenance work, which necessitated a 90-day traffic diversion starting on July 22, 2024, was prompted by the deteriorating condition of the bridge’s expansion joints and asphalt pavement. The first phase, originally planned for 45 days, was completed in just 30 days, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to expediting infrastructure repairs.
Daramola assured the public that the government is responsive to the challenges faced by road users, emphasizing that several other bridges across Lagos are also due for similar maintenance. “The Odo Iya Alaro Bridge was among those that required urgent attention,” he noted.
During the inspection, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Olawale Musa, outlined the alternative routes established to ease traffic during the second phase of the repairs. Motorists traveling to Ojota from Maryland/Yaba will be diverted to a contraflow on the lane inbound Maryland, while those heading to Yaba from Ojota will continue on the same lane.
He advised motorists to consider alternative routes:
**From Berger, Magodo, and Tollgate**: Use the Alapere/Ogudu route towards Gbagada/Anthony Oke Bridge, then descend the ramp to access Ikorodu Road.
**From Ikeja, Oregun, and Kudirat Abiola Way: Use the Opebi Link Bridge to connect to Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way inward Sheraton, then proceed through Maryland to access Ikorodu Road.
**From Jibowu: Use the Ikorodu Road service lane by Mobil Fuel Station/Bertola Engineering Equipment Company to access Gbagada/Ogudu.
**Heading to Ikeja, Magodo, Berger, and Lagos-Ibadan Expressway: Use Maryland inward Mobolaji Bank Anthony, then link Sheraton/Opebi to Allen Avenue/Obafemi Awolowo Way, and continue on Nurudeen Olowopopo Road. Alternatively, after using the Opebi Link Bridge, access Kudirat Abiola Way to reach Ikosi Road, then proceed to Mobolaji Johnson Avenue/7up to connect to Nurudeen Olowopopo Road.
The General Manager of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, called on motorists to cooperate with the traffic management measures in place during the repairs. He assured the public that traffic personnel would be deployed to minimize inconvenience along the affected routes.
