The Lagos State Government has announced the temporary closure of the Marine Bridge in the Ijora area of Apapa Local Government for 15 days to enable essential maintenance and rehabilitation works aimed at ensuring public safety and structural integrity.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the closure will take effect from Monday, October 13, and is expected to last until October 28, 2025. The commissioner explained that the bridge would undergo critical repair works, including the replacement of damaged expansion joints and structural reinforcements.
“The Lagos State Government, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works, will be carrying out necessary maintenance on the Marine Bridge to avert any potential risk to motorists and ensure its continued safe use,” Osiyemi stated. “We appeal to residents, transporters, and business owners to cooperate with traffic officials during the period of closure.”
The commissioner said alternative routes had been mapped out to ease movement and reduce expected gridlock in the Apapa, Ijora, and Costain corridors. Motorists coming from Apapa inward Ijora are advised to use the Ijora 7Up or Apapa Road through Costain to access their destinations, while those heading toward Apapa can take Eko Bridge or Iganmu Road as detours.
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Traffic management personnel from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and other enforcement agencies will be deployed to strategic points to guide motorists and maintain order throughout the period.
“This closure is part of the state government’s proactive maintenance strategy to prevent deterioration and extend the lifespan of key infrastructure across Lagos,” Osiyemi added. “We understand the inconvenience it may cause, but it is necessary to ensure long-term safety.”
The Marine Bridge, one of Lagos’s major transport arteries, links the Apapa port area to other parts of the city and serves as a critical route for cargo and petroleum product movement. Its closure is expected to temporarily disrupt logistics operations in the Apapa port axis, which already experiences frequent traffic congestion.
Truck drivers and logistics operators have expressed mixed reactions to the development. While some welcomed the repairs as long overdue, others voiced concerns about increased transit delays.
“We appreciate the effort to fix the bridge because it has been shaking in recent months,” said Yusuf Lawal, a tanker driver. “But the closure will make movement very difficult, especially for those transporting goods to the ports.”
Commuters have also been advised to plan their journeys ahead and use public transport alternatives where possible. The government urged patience and cooperation from residents, emphasizing that the short-term inconvenience would lead to long-term benefits.
As of Friday, engineers from the Federal Ministry of Works had already begun preparatory assessments on-site, with equipment and materials being moved into place for immediate commencement of repairs once the closure begins.