The Lagos State Government has announced plans to divert traffic on the National Theatre and Marina axis for a period of 7 months with effect from next Monday.
The diversion which is for the continuation of works on the Blue Line rail project is part of the current administration’s mandate to ensure the safety of motorists and construction personnel during the course of the construction of the project.
This disclosure is contained in a statement made by the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, who said the road diversion is for a duration of 221 days.
Oladeinde said that the Traffic Management Plan (T.M.P) would address the impact of the construction work on traffic and subsequently eliminate traffic-related issues.
The commissioner explained that the construction would commence on the right-hand side of the road for a duration of 116 days while the left-hand side will take 182 days.
Oladeinde stated that some of the works would be done simultaneously as some aspects of the construction would require such attention.
He said, “Motorists would be diverted to the descending ramp of Ebute-Ero to link Marina ring road through a diversion point. Alternately, traffic will also be diverted to Chapel Street along Apongbon to access Broad Street.
“Traffic signs and temporary barriers will be mounted along the affected axis to guide motorists on movement during the course of the construction. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) will be on ground to ensure safety of motorists and efficient access to their destinations.’’
The state government commended Lagos residents for their endurance and cooperation during the execution of these numerous projects.
Oladeinde, however, assured that the end result of these sacrifices would be a Lagos that is conducive for seamless commercial activities and the existence of relevant transport infrastructure to meet the needs of the teeming population.
The Lagos Blue Line rail project which is expected to cost about $1.2 billion is part of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit, an urban rail system being developed in Lagos and managed by LAMATA.
The Blue line rail project which is entirely funded by the Lagos State Government will be 27 kilometres long, connecting Okokomaiko to Marina, while the other line, the Red Line, will be 30 kilometres long and will run between Marina and Agbado.
It can be recalled that earlier in February, the Lagos State Government had revealed that the Lagos Blue and Red rail lines will be operational by December 2022, with the 2 lines expected to change the transport landscape of the state when fully operational.
