Manny Ita –
The Lagos State Government has officially commenced a 64-day traffic diversion plan on the Lekki-Epe Expressway to facilitate the comprehensive reconstruction of the corridor from the Ajah Bridge to the Admiralty section. Following the early completion of the nine-kilometre Lagos-bound stretch from Chevron to Admiralty Way, authorities have now shifted focus to the Epe-bound carriageway, necessitating a phased closure of key intersections. The Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, confirmed that the project is being executed intersection by intersection to avoid a total shutdown of the vital artery, noting that “the re-scheduled rehabilitation works will commence for an estimated period of 64 days” with a dynamic lane-sharing system implemented to manage the heavy volume of traffic.
To mitigate the impact on commuters, the state has deployed over 305 personnel from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to reinforce traffic control across three designated zones. Under the current management strategy, two lanes are dedicated to Lagos-bound traffic during the morning peak hours between 5 a.m. and 10 a.m., while the evening peak from 3 p.m. to 3 a.m. prioritizes Epe-bound motorists with two available lanes. The Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Olufemi Daramola, emphasized the urgency of the project ahead of the rainy season, stating, “The festivities are over, and the state government has instructed the contractor to move to site to commence work,” while assuring the public that construction is being carried out on a 24-hour basis to accelerate completion.
Motorists are being strongly advised to utilize the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road via Ogombo and Abraham Adesanya as a primary alternative to bypass the construction zones entirely. Other suggested routes include the link from Eleganza through Orchid Road and Lafiaji to Naale Street for those seeking to navigate around the Ajah axis. While appealing for public patience, the Special Adviser on Transportation, Sola Giwa, urged road users to exercise discipline and strictly adhere to directional signage, adding that the government’s goal is to “guarantee free traffic flow, enable rapid response to incidents and ensure strict adherence to traffic regulations” throughout the 64-day duration.
