Lagos State Commences Junctions Improvement In Four Locations To Unlock Traffic

In fulfillment of its promise to unlock traffic gridlock in the 60 trouble zones identified at the beginning of this administration, the Lagos State Government today commenced infrastructural improvement on four identified junctions – 2nd Roundabout Lekki/Epe Expressway, Ikotun, Allen Avenue and Maryland in the metropolis.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, conducted journalists round some of the junctions/roundabouts where improvement work and reordering is ongoing, saying that the projects are in line with the administration’s commitment to easing traffic congestion in the State.

Oladeinde observed that some of the roundabouts could no longer meet the demands of the increased population in Lagos, stressing that they had outlived their usefulness and the current traffic challenges encountered in the identified axes demand an urgent remodelling for long-lasting solutions.

The Commissioner, who was accompanied on the tour of the infrastructure projects by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, stressed that pedestrian activities, huge vehicular traffic and overburdened roundabout structures were responsible for the heavy congestion that caused operational challenges and delay during the peak hours, disclosing further that the remodelling projects would be completed within the next four months.

While addressing journalists before embarking on the tour of projects, Oladeinde said remodelling the four roundabouts will include demolition and accommodation of synchronised signalisation to control traffic, reduce travel time, reduce traffic congestions to the barest minimum and ensure all-round safety as well as create favourable environment for improved economic growth and development.

The Commissioner assured Lagosians that officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) will be present at the designated locations to manage traffic flow, urging the residents to bear with the State government while the project lasted.

Also speaking, Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, urged Lagosians to be patient and cooperative with the State Government in confronting the challenges of fixing road infrastructure, assuring that the Governor is committed to ensuring a safer Lagos for all.

While addressing journalists at Maryland roundabout, Omotoso said though all the statues and aesthetics at the roundabout would be removed to give way to traffic, he assured that the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture would relocate them to other locations for more aesthetic value, assuring that the artefacts would not rot away.

Omotoso disclosed that two alternative routes have also been created at Sunmola and Bush Streets inside Mende, Maryland to further ease the traffic flow in and outward Ojota as well as Ikeja bound movement.

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transportation, Mr. Sewedo Whenu, assured that relevant agencies would be deployed to ensure the rapid movement of traffic during the project.