The Federal Government has declared a full closure of the Ijora Bridge in Lagos beginning Saturday, April 27, to carry out critical repair works.
Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, disclosed this during an inspection of the bridge on Monday, citing the need to replace numerous defective bearings beneath the bridge deck.
“This bridge has been awarded for some time now in different phases. We are now at the final phase, which involves lifting the entire bridge deck to change the faulty bearings beneath,” she explained.
Approximately 50 defective bearings are to be replaced across three sections of the bridge. Kesha emphasized the significance of the Ijora Bridge as a vital link to Apapa, which houses Nigeria’s major seaports—Tincan and Apapa ports.
While acknowledging the inconvenience the closure would cause, Kesha said the decision was crucial for commuter safety and to prevent further structural damage. She assured that traffic diversion plans had been designed to manage potential gridlocks.
Motorists approaching from Ijora will be rerouted through Seven Up Roundabout to access Apapa, while heavy-duty trucks will be diverted through Costain and Iganmu.
“We understand the implications of closing such a major artery, but we have carefully designed diversion routes and don’t foresee major issues,” Kesha said, appealing for public cooperation.
She noted that the ministry had received complaints from road users about noticeable vibrations on the bridge, confirming that although the bridge was not in danger of collapse, urgent repairs were essential.
“It won’t collapse, but it definitely needs help. If you drive on the bridge now, you will feel vibrations. That is because the bearings, the spring-like supports under the deck, have weakened significantly,” she added.
This will be the first major repair since the bridge was constructed decades ago. The initial phase, involving deck lifting and bearing replacement, will require full closure, while subsequent stages such as asphalt work may be scheduled for Sundays to reduce traffic disruptions.
Kesha stressed the importance of public awareness and said the Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, has directed that closures must be widely communicated.
“With public cooperation, we can complete the repairs quickly and ensure the bridge is safe for all users,” she assured.
