Lagos rolls out coordinated traffic plan for 64-day Lekki

The Lagos State Government has once again underscored its unwavering resolve to safeguard uninterrupted vehicular mobility and public safety during the ongoing rehabilitation of the 20-kilometre stretch of the Lekki–Epe Expressway, a project scheduled to span 64 days.

This assurance was given today by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa who emphasized that comprehensive, strategically coordinated traffic management mechanisms have been put in place to mitigate inconvenience throughout the construction period.

Hon. Giwa while addressing LASTMA personnel clarified that the rehabilitation exercise will not entail the closure of the expressway, noting that traffic control interventions will be tactically concentrated at critical and designated intersections in order to minimize disruption and sustain seamless vehicular movement along the corridor.

He revealed that traffic management strategies have been painstakingly conceptualized and executed in well-structured phases, with the deployment of over 305 operatives of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) to bolster the operations of the three existing traffic management zones covering the axis.

According to him, this proactive and expanded deployment is intended to guarantee unhindered vehicular flow, rapid incident response and uncompromising enforcement of traffic regulations, thereby preserving orderliness and road safety.

The Special Adviser acknowledged the significant escalation in vehicular volume and commercial haulage activities along the Lekki–Epe corridor, attributing this trend to the concentration of major economic and infrastructural assets within the area. These include the Lekki Deep Sea Port, Lekki Free Trade Zone, Dangote Refinery, alongside other fast-growing commercial and industrial developments, all of which have cumulatively intensified traffic demand along the axis.

In anticipation of possible traffic-related contingencies, Hon. Giwa disclosed that LASTMA has deployed a versatile fleet of high, medium and low-capacity recovery vehicles, including tow trucks to ensure the prompt removal of broken-down vehicles and forestall secondary congestion that could arise from such incidents.

He further stated that the Agency will harness advanced drone technology for real-time aerial monitoring, facilitating the swift identification, assessment and resolution of traffic incidents not only along the Lekki–Epe Expressway but also across other strategic locations within Lagos State.

Hon. Giwa confirmed that the traffic management architecture for the rehabilitation period incorporates the installation of clear directional signage, adequate illumination and other critical safety enhancements.

Additionally, personnel of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) have been deployed to complement LASTMA’s operations, thereby reinforcing security and ensuring the protection of lives and property throughout the duration of the project.

Motorists were advised to explore and judiciously utilize alternative routes provided by the government to alleviate pressure on the construction corridor. In this regard, Hon. Giwa specifically identified the Coaster Road from Ogombo through Abraham Adesanya as a viable and recommended alternative during the rehabilitation phase.

He urged all road users to exercise patience, demonstrate civic responsibility, comply strictly with traffic regulations and cooperate fully with traffic personnel on duty, stressing that collective discipline and cooperation remain indispensable to the success of the rehabilitation exercise and the effectiveness of the traffic management measures in place.

Hon. Giwa further encouraged members of the public, particularly motorists to promptly report any traffic-related incidents by contacting the LASTMA Toll-Free Hotline: 080000527862, assuring them of swift, professional and coordinated response.

The Lagos State Government once again appeals for the understanding, patience and cooperation of all road users as it undertakes this vital infrastructural upgrade in the overarching interest of enhanced mobility, public safety and sustainable economic advancement.