Lagos closes Toyota-Airport Road Bridge after tanker explosion

The Lagos State Government has announced the closure of the Toyota-Airport Road Bridge on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway.

It said the closure was to allow for integrity tests on the bridge following a fuel tanker fire last Thursday that affected the structure of the bridge.

A statement by the state Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, said, “The bridge therefore has to be temporarily closed to vehicular traffic movement to enable the state government to conduct structural tests on the bridge.”

He also announced alternative routes for use by motorists, pending the outcome of the tests and the reopening of the bridge to traffic.

The commissioner said, “Motorists from Mile 2 to Cele on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway approaching Iyana-Isolo through Daleko Bridge will need to make use of Aiye and Osolo Way to Asa Afariogun through 7 & 8 to access International Airport Road.

“Motorists from Toyota will make use of the service lanes by Armed Forces Resettlement Centre to BOC Gases on old NAFDAC headquarters, through a U-turn at Cappa on Agege Motor Road to Bolade/Oyetayo Street (Oshodi-Isolo Local Govt Secretariat) through Bolade on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway via Charity in order to reach International Airport Road.

 “Motorists from Bus Terminal 2 Transport Interchange, inwards Charity on Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, can connect International Airport Road from Toyota Bus Stop through Anthony Oke to Ikorodu Road on the service lanes and return via Anthony Oke inwards Oshodi Oke to Charity and connect International Airport Road.”

 Oladeinde said the Lagos State Traffic Management Officials (LASTMA) would be deployed in the corridors to control and manage traffic flow along the axes during the diversion period.

 “The government is assuring the motoring public that the Airport Bridge shall be opened for use as soon as the tests or requisite intervention makes it safe and secure to do so.

“The government, through this statement, appeals to all road users along these corridors to drive safely and patiently by following the traffic advice while assuring them that any inconvenience this may cause is temporary,” he said.

The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mr Olukayode Popoola, had earlier advised motorists to stay off the Airport Road Flyover after an inspection of the bridge on Friday with some officials of the Lagos State Government.

He said that 200 metres of the rigid pavement of the bridge along the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway reconstruction project being carried out by the Dangote Group was burnt.

He added that the deck of the flyover was burnt and its pier badly damaged, raising fears of structural instability of the bridge.