Lagos reopens Ojota-Maryland, Odo Iya Alaro Bridge, after repairs
The Lagos State Government has officially reopened the Ojota and Maryland sections of the Odo Iya Alaro Bridge to traffic following the completion of major repair works.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, reopened the bridge on Monday, September 16, 2024, affirming that motorists can now use both sides of the bridge immediately.
Speaking at the reopening ceremony, Governor Sanwo-Olu emphasized his administration’s focus on improving road and bridge infrastructure to reduce travel time, eliminate gridlock, and enhance interconnectivity across the state. He noted that such efforts are aimed at saving valuable man-hours that would otherwise be lost to traffic.
“When structural failures and issues with expansion joints were noticed on some bridges across the state, we took immediate action. We embarked on maintenance and reinstatement works on bridges like Kodesoh, Oke-Afa, Asolo, and most recently, the Odo Iya Alaro Bridge,” the governor said.
Sanwo-Olu also called attention to the ongoing challenge of infrastructure abuse, such as the vandalism of road furniture and improper disposal of waste.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to tackling these issues and urged residents to help protect public infrastructure. “We will no longer tolerate the dumping of waste on roadsides, cooking on roads, or damage to road surfaces caused by mechanics and other activities,” he added.
The reopening of the Odo Iya Alaro Bridge is expected to bring significant relief to commuters who have endured months of hardship due to the closure. The bridge connects key routes from Lagos Mainland to the Ikorodu Road, easing traffic flow between the Mainland and Island.
Engineer Olufemi Daramola, Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, highlighted that the repairs were completed ahead of schedule. Work on the Ojota-bound section of the bridge began on July 22, 2024, and was completed by August 23, 2024.
The second phase, the Maryland-bound section, started on August 23, 2024, and finished on September 13, 2024—54 days in total, well within the originally proposed 90-day timeline.
Daramola commended the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command, and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) for their support in ensuring smooth operations during the construction period. He acknowledged the inconvenience caused to commuters but praised their cooperation in navigating alternative routes.
Commissioner for Works, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, expressed gratitude to Lagosians for their patience and support throughout the project.
He also acknowledged LASTMA’s exceptional work in managing traffic, noting that the successful completion of the rehabilitation will significantly ease traffic flow and enhance movement between the Mainland and Island.
The reopening of the Odo Iya Alaro Bridge marks another milestone in the Lagos State Government’s ongoing efforts to revitalize critical infrastructure across the state.
