The Federal Government, on Tuesday night, shut the Alaka Bridge linking Eko Bridge in Lagos for emergency repairs to prevent its total collapse.
Officials from both Lagos State and Federal Ministry of Works and their Transportation counterparts converged on the bridge at about 9:15 pm.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Adedamola Kuti, told NAN, that the emergency closure was to prevent total collapse of the bridge.
“We are all here closing the Alaka to Costain portion of the Eko Bridge because some bearings are bad.
“We just discovered that the bearings are broken and we are here to shut it down for the safety of motorists.
“We are shutting it down now so that we can carry out full investigations on the extent of damage to the bearings to begin the repairs,’’ Kuti said.
He explained that only Alaka flyover portion from Alaka to Costain section of the Eko Bridge was bad but from Costain Bus stop area beside the National Theatre is in good condition.
He advised motorists going to Lagos Island to connect the Eko Bridge through the service lane at Alaka through Iponrin to Costain Bus Stop area to connect the bridge.
He also advised use of the National Theatre, as alternative route to connect the Eko Bridge on the other side.
Last week, the Federal Ministry of Works announced the partial shut of the Independence Bridge also in Lagos.
The closure is to ensure replacement of worn out expansion joints and laying of Asphaltic concrete wearing course between 1st March and 2nd May, 2020.
