FG targets July completion for Lagos-Ibadan, collapsed Ijora bridge

07 Jun FG targets July completion for Lagos-Ibadan, collapsed Ijora bridge

The Federal Government (FG) on Tuesday said ongoing rehabilitation of the Apapa-bound lane of the Marine Bridge near Ijora that collapsed in May would be completed in July.

The deck-on-pile bridge caved in and was shut on May 17 after investigations revealed that vandals had flared and removed steel components beneath the infrastructure.

The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mrs. Olukorede Keisha said the contractor was already on site fixing five panels of the bridge damaged by the vandals.

Keisha said although only one panel collapsed, a total of five were distressed and currently being demolished and rehabilitated simultaneously on alternative stretches.

She explained that after panel one and three were demolished and replaced, two, four and five would be demolished and recast.

She said that method of reconstruction was being adopted to prevent total collapse of the bridge, adding that, bridges are usually not continuous but cast in panels.

The Controller added that the repairs would be completed in July.

“It was discovered after inspection that five panels are in critical condition. Work has started with demolition of alternate panels now. We will demolish panel one then we move to panel number three.

“When they cast one and three, they will come and demolish panel number one and two and four,” she said.

Panels are long stretches of the bridge deck connected by expansion joints.

Commenting on the ongoing Lagos-Ibadan Expressway reconstruction/rehabilitation project, Keisha said work on the Otedola Bridge section would “be completed this weekend”.

She added that, the contractor would therefore move to the Ojodu Berger Section and complete repairs by end of July, all things being equal.