LASG Announces Closure Of Abule-Apapa Railway Level Crossing Project

The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation has announced plans to temporarily close Abule Level Crossing towards Apapa end of the railway project for construction on the rail track in continuation of the ongoing Nigeria Railway Modernisation Project (Lagos-Ibadan section).

A statement issued on Friday by the State Ministry for Transportation, said that the Abule Level Crossing will be closed from Saturday, 21st of November, to Sunday, 22nd of November, 2020, for the scheduled construction.

It stated further that the Construction Company, China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) Nigeria Limited, would commence the track construction at 5:00am on Saturday and finish by 8:00pm on Sunday.

As a result of the planned closure on the aforementioned route for construction works, the release informed that the new Costain Bridge will be opened to all motorists on the 19th of November to serve as an alternative route for motorists plying the axis to aid their movement.

It advised motorists coming from Oyingbo to access Funsho Williams Avenue, Iponri, Surulere for connecting the newly constructed Costain Bridge through Apapa Road to their destinations. While motorists from Eko Bridge heading towards Iponri, Funsho Williams Avenue will also utilise the newly constructed Costain Bridge through Costain Round About to reach their destinations.

Road users that are Apapa, Iganmu and Lagos Island-bound from Funsho Williams Avenue, Surulere, Iponri can make use of the newly constructed bridge to Costain Round About. Motorists coming from Franklin Street, Park Road and Abule-Nla Road and intend to connect Iponri/Funsho Williams Avenue would be diverted to Apapa Road through Ademuyiwa and Ijero Streets to connect Costain Roundabout to link the newly constructed bridge.

Advising motorists to comply with the traffic directions put in place to minimise inconveniences during the period, the Lagos State Government reiterated its determination to provide a seamless multi-modal transport system that will meet the transportation needs of its large population.

 

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Debt Management Office (DMO) Friday, inspected the ongoing Blue Line Light Rail project, which is being partly funded with N87.5 Billion Bond series, to ascertain the level of progress in preparation for the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) visit and also to ensure that the funds were properly expended.

The Leader of the Inspection team and Permanent Secretary, Debt Management Office (DMO), Mr. Olujimi Ige, expressed satisfaction with the status of work done on the rail project, noting that the project was abandoned sometime in 2016 with the hope that the project will be restarted and ready for use soon.

He said the Light Rail project, expected to run from Badagry to Marina, will have several platforms for passengers to buy tickets, embark and disembark from the platform.

According to the Engineers handling the project, the Mile-2 to the National Theatre section, which is Phase II and III is 98% completed, while Phase IV is from the National Theatre to Marina.

He explained that some areas of the project platform are elevated (Iganmu to Marina), while some are on ground in the middle of the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

The Engineers also stated that four stations have been completed, as well as other elements which include the tracks works, while work is still ongoing on the phase IV bridge works.

The Blue Rail project is expected to improve connectivity between Badagry and Lagos in a more efficient way and less travel time.