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The Lagos State Government on Friday gave an update on the closure of the independence tunnel at Maryland.
General Manager of Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), Olajide Oduyoye gave the update, saying the Independence Tunnel would be closed for 4 weeks.
TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the Lagos State Government had earlier announced closure of the tunnel to allow for repairs.
Speaking during a weekly chat known as GM Speaks, organized by LASTMA, Oduyoye gave updates on the activities of the agency so far.
He stated that repair at the Independence Tunnel is imminent and that work proper will start on Tuesday as opposed to on Monday that is Workers’ Day public holiday.
The LASTMA GM further stated that the main carriageway of the tunnel would be totally shut but that the BRT lane would not be affected, adding that the current access closure above the tunnel shall be opened.
“The planned closure of the Independence Tunnel at Maryland inwards Anthony has been major. We did a trial run earlier today and work proper starts on Tuesday as opposed to public holiday Monday.
“Main carriageway shall be totally shut. BRT Lane is not affected, so buses can pass through. The current access closure above the tunnel shall be opened. New traffic control introduced to accommodate diverted traffic above. Temporary bus stop created at the 2 disused petrol stations.
“Over the years perhaps due to factors like drainage blockage, that section of Ikorodu Road gets flooded and blocks traffic during the rains. Subsequently the asphalt gets damaged considerably especially with the traffic weight load.
“So now the government of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu wants to implement a lasting solution. Job shall be done by Julius Berger. Duration of work is expected to be 4 weeks. LASTMA to manage traffic flow. So a contra flow between Maryland and 100m beyond the tunnel shall be created against the Maryland directional flow from Anthony.
“That is, if your destination is towards Ojota, 7UP or even Ikorodu too; if approaching from the 7UP, Alausa end on Lagos-Ibadan expressway, a motorist may also use Ogudu, Gbagada and Anthony to avoid Maryland. Traffic on Mobolaji Bank Anthony can also divert to the right before getting to Maryland to reduce stress of yellow buses and their passengers.
“So we did a trial run today to assess the likely impact of traffic towards Maryland from both approaches on Ikorodu road. I believe it is manageable. Other options on movement include using Anthony towards Gbagada express,” Oduyoye stated.