Lagos to close Oshodi flyover in July — but only for seven hours

The Lagos state government says there will be a partial restriction of movement on the Oshodi flyover to enable it advance the ongoing construction of the Oshodi transport interchange.

Ade Akinsanya, state commissioner for works and infrastructure, in a statement on Friday, said the restriction will take effect from 10pm on July 1 to 5am on July 2.

Akinsanya said construction work at the interchange had “entered critical stage” and the contractor, Messer Planet Projects Limited, would be hoisting heavy structural steel trusses for the assembly of the skywalk bridge.

The commissioner said officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Federal Road safety corps (FRSC), police, Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC), Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) will be on ground to manage traffic and provide safety and security support during the seven-hour night operation.

According to Akinsanya, the skywalk bridge, the longest free standing pedestrian bridge in Nigeria at 53.4m long and six metres wide, would link terminal one and two buildings at the Oshodi transport interchange.

He said the flyover will be completely closed in the direction of Anthony axis to the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), while the motorists (in both directions) will make use of the second carriageway, in the direction from airport to Oshodi to Anthony.

Akinsanya further said in the days and weeks ahead, there would also be closure on some certain section of roads within the axis.

“Motorists coming from Anthony can either access town planning way through Ikorodu road or Apapa Oworonshoki expressway and then turn to Ilupeju industrial avenue then link Agege motor road via Ilupeju bypass and make a U-turn at Bolade and turn to Apapa Oworonshoki expressway,” he said.

“For motorists coming from Isolo/Airport Road, you can enter the service lane at Charity and turn to Agege Motor Road at Oshodi and then link Ilupeju Industrial Avenue via Ilupeju Bypass and then turn to Town Planning Way to link up Apapa-Oworonshoki Expressway.

“We encourage individuals and groups that may have cause to use the network of roads and bridges passing through, or linking Oshodi and environ, to be alert to disruptions and danger associated with movement of heavy steel and equipment.”