Manny Ita –
The Lagos State Government has announced a six-week partial closure and traffic diversion on the Apongbon Bridge to facilitate urgent repair works on critical sections of the infrastructure. The shutdown, scheduled to take effect from Thursday, February 5, until March 19, 2026, was confirmed in a statement on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi. The rehabilitation project, spearheaded by the Federal Ministry of Works, will target failed asphalt sections along the ramp and service lane linking Inner Marina to the bridge, as well as degraded portions on both the inbound and outbound carriageways.
The government noted that the repairs are essential to address structural vulnerabilities and prevent a total failure of the bridge, which serves as a vital artery connecting Lagos Island to Victoria Island, the Third Mainland Bridge, and Eko Bridge. “To ensure the safety of road users and facilitate the smooth execution of the works, sections of the affected roads will be temporarily closed to traffic,” Osiyemi stated, adding that a phased construction approach would be utilized to manage the movement of vehicles. Under the initial phase, construction will begin on the Apongbon service lane before transitioning to the main carriageway.
In response to the closure, authorities have released a comprehensive traffic management plan. “Consequently, motorists are advised to use the following alternative routes,” the Commissioner noted, explaining that inbound traffic from Inner Marina should proceed to the Apongbon under-bridge roundabout, connect to Adeniji Adele Road, and continue through Ebute Ero to access the ramp leading to Eko Bridge. Conversely, traffic from TBS and Victoria Island will be diverted to the service lanes or specific ramps depending on the phase of the work. Once the inbound repairs are finalized, the construction team will shift to the outbound side, necessitating further adjustments to the diversion routes.
The intervention comes after years of heavy vehicular load and environmental wear that have accelerated the deterioration of the bridge’s asphalt and structural integrity. The Apongbon corridor has remained a point of concern for safety officials since a 2022 inferno beneath the bridge caused significant stress to the structure. By undertaking these repairs now, the government aims to extend the lifespan of the aging asset and reduce the risk of accidents. Traffic management personnel are expected to be deployed across the affected axis throughout the six-week period to minimize the anticipated congestion in the busy Lagos Island business district.
