The Lagos State Government has said that it would close both Dopemu and Iyana- Ipaja bridges from March 15, 2014 to April 5, 2014 to pave way for their maintenance.
In a statement issued by the Ministry of Transportation and signed by the Commissioner for Transportation, Kayode Opeifa, the state government will begin maintenance work on the bridges and they will not be available for public use during the period. The projects were contracted to Chinese Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation (CCECC).
The statement said: “During the period, vehicles approaching Dopemu Bridge from Ile- Zik inward Iyana Ipaja could make a U-turn back to Dopemu Bridge via the opened median along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway or take a left turn into Alimoso Road and use the following link roads back to Akowonjo or Iyana Ipaja.
“The link roads are: Irepodun Street, Alaguntan, Vincent Street, Akiwowo road and Cash Street, all off Alimoso road.
“Similarly, vehicles coming from Orile Agege and environs approaching Dopemu Bridge will take a right turn through Surulere road to link Lagos Abeokuta Expressway and make use of the opended median Barrier into the earlier mentioned link roads.
“In addition, vehicles from Akowonjo, Shasha going into Agege will go through Lagos Abeokuta Expressway and turn at Ile Zik back to Agege.
“Upon the completion of the maintenance work at Dopemu Bridge, the contractor will commence work at the Iyana Bridge, which is also expected to be completed within 10 days. Within this period, the bridge will also be closed for public use.
“Therefore, vehicles coming from Dopemu along Lagos- Abeokuta Expressway inward Iyana Bus Stop and proposing to use the Iyana- Ipaja Bridge will either make a U-turn back to Iyana-Ipaja Bridge or a left turn into Abule Oki Street at the proposed median Barrier opening along Lagos – Abeokuta Expressway, go through Chief Adebayo Street back to Iyana Ipaja Roundabout.”
The statement added that vehicles coming from Iyana-Ipaja Road will also use the Abule-Oki Street and navigate through Chief Adebayo Street back to Iyana Ipaja Roundabout, while vehicles coming from Iyana-Ipaja road going into Ipaja road will have to go through Dopemu Bridge.
Motorists and other road users were, however, advised to use alternative routes provided to avoid delays during the maintenance period.
The state government appealed for caution and cooperation from all road users by obeying all traffic regulations during the period of the closure.