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Motorists plying the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway have expressed anxiety over gridlock that may trail the planned repair of the damaged bridge at the Lotto area of the expressway. PUNCH Metro recalls that a driver of a low-bed articulated vehicle, which was transporting an excavator, hit the bridge structure, causing damage to its beams. The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olukorede Kesha, who spoke during an inspection on Monday, announced that the section of the expressway where the bridge was damaged would be closed down for repair works. She expressed concern over the significant damage caused to the bridge, stressing that two of the beams were severely compromised and must be replaced. “From what we observed, the excavator’s boom was not properly lowered from the port, which made it too high to pass under the bridge. “To complete the repairs, we will have to shut this section of the road and divert traffic to the other side. Anyone familiar with the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway knows how critical this route is. Traffic here is something else.” She told NAN on Monday. Speaking with our correspondent on Tuesday, some motorists noted that with the typical high volume of traffic on the expressway, the repair may compound the traffic situation. Though they noted that inner roads may provide alternatives, a motorist, Kunle Jayeola held that they would have to also grapple with some roads that are not motorable. Jayeola urged the FG government to put in place measures to avert a repeat of the sad experience of motorists following the closure of the Independence Bridge, in Lagos Island. He said, “The planned repair is necessary, but it will come with hardship for motorists because of the large number of vehicles plying this road daily. “If care is not taken, we may have a repeat of what happened in Lagos Island recently due to the closure of the Independence Bridge. It may become worse because there are no alternative routes that motorists can resort to. “I appeal to the FG to ensure that whatever they are planning does not put the motorists at the receiving end.” Another motorist, who identified simply as Tunde, lamented that the closure of a section of the expressway would affect the movement of people and businesses plying the area. He said, “If they (FG) close this road, it will not only affect traffic and movement of people, but it will also have an impact on businesses that rely on this route for transportation. “I just hope that they will manage the situation well so that the impact is minimal because ordinary vehicle breakdowns on this road always cause gridlock, how much more of closing a section of the road?” On the concerns of motorists, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos said traffic would only be diverted to the other lane along the expressway. “Tell me the alternative that is available there. The federal government constructed something there, and someone went ahead to damage it, and you’re talking about an alternative. We will only divert traffic to the other lane,” she said in a telephone conversation with our correspondent.

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