16th May, 2017
By Kazeem Ugbodaga
Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode on Tuesday commissioned the newly built Pedestrian Bridge, lay-by and slip road at Ojodu-Berger area of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria.
Addressing a huge crowd at the commissioning, Ambode said at the inception of his administration in May 2015, the traffic situation at the Ojodu Berger axis was one of the challenges he identified as requiring urgent attention.
He said this decision was informed by the strategic importance of Ojodu-Berger axis being a major gateway into the State.
“What we set out to achieve with this project was to ensure smooth flow of traffic along the express, safeguard the lives of our people who had to run across the express and project the image of a truly global city to our visitors.
“Today, we are delighted that we have not only succeeded in transforming the landscape of this axis but with the slip road, lay-bys and pedestrian bridge, we have given a new and pleasant experience to all entering and exiting our State.
“This project is the product of our innovative team of engineers, architects and town planners who have worked hard to create an innovative solution to tackle the challenges of this axis,” he said.
The governor said the state government would not stop with the Ojodu Berger axis, saying “this is an ongoing process and we are working to create solutions to traffic congestion in every part of the State. If your neighbourhood or community is experiencing traffic challenges, be rest assured that we will soon be there.”
Earlier, the State’s Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Engr. Adebowale Akinsanya said the project was conceived by the State Government as a response to the yearnings of the people of Ojodu Berger Community for an improved, efficient and gridlock free road network, as well as the need to preserve the sanctity of life of Lagosians who hitherto were endangered by the need to cross the ever-busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Akinsanya, who is also overseeing the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, gave the scope of the project to include 98m pedestrian bridges with illumination, 150m length lay-bys on both sides of the expressway, 500m length of retaining wall with varying height from 3.5m to 7m and two multi-by bus park/bus lay-bys on Ogunnusi road with public convenience.
Other scope of the project included 650m slip road connecting traffic outward the expressway to Omole/Olowora Junction, 700m Ogunnusi/Wakatiadura dual road from Kosoko road junction to the expressway, 250m PWC Road to the expressway, street lighting on all the roads and multi-bay bus parks, signalization of all junctions, pedestrian walkway and drainage infrastructure, among others.