As part of efforts towards mitigating the sufferings of road users in the Lagos metropolis as result of the ongoing construction of the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail project, the Lagos state government has assured that, the new bridge being constructed around Constain would be completed and ready for use in September.
Speaking over the weekend, Obafemi Hamzat, the Lagos state deputy governor stated that when completed and put to use to ease free flow of traffic, the existing bridge would be destroyed and raised up for the passage of the passenger and freight trains when the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail is eventually completed.
Recall that in November 2017, there was public out-cry and apprehension when Rotimi Amaechi, the immediate past former Minister of Transportation hinted that Jibowu and Costain bridges in Lagos would be demolished to give way for the laying of rail tracks of Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail line.
Explaining the need during his meeting with the Steering Committee of the project and the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) in Lagos, Amaechi noted that “the two bridges that we may likely demolish are Jibowu and Costain to give way to the rail lines.
The ex-minister allayed public fears about the resultant traffic gridlock that the demolition may cause and assured that the bridges will not be abandoned as they will be rebuilt immediately.
According to the deputy governor, “We have come to inspect the project because there will be a need to divert traffic while they are constructing. People cannot pass through this place and we want to ensure that people’s lives are not endangered.
“So, we are here to check and plan on how to divert the traffic around this axis so that people do not go through pain or lockdown this area while we do developmental network that is necessary. This is to prevent confusion and traffic gridlock while the project is on. It’s something that needs to be done for the development of our state,” he said.
Hamzat noted that the state ministry of transportation would sensitise the public on the diversion plans ahead of the time to help people move around with ease.
MIKE OCHONMA
