By Temitope Aina
Motorists and residents are complaining over the hardship they are experiencing while plying a section of the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway following the ongoing construction of a flyover bridge in the Ikeja area of the road.
In an interview with PUNCH Metro on Tuesday, they expressed worry over the seeming delay in the completion of the project.
They noted that a portion of the road had been blocked for over three months, leaving motorists to endure gridlock while plying the road.
Our correspondent who visited the bridge on Tuesday noticed that some parts of the bridge were undergoing construction while a portion of the road was blocked with heavy stones.
A motorist, Olamide, pleaded with the state government to expedite action on the construction to alleviate the suffering of motorists.
Olamide said, “The road has been blocked for over six months and it causes traffic jam on the road. This is a major road and a lot of vehicles ply this road daily. I know they are constructing the bridge for the benefit of everyone but the process is taking too long.
“Weekdays are usually the worst days, especially in the evenings. I close from work around 4.30pm but I get home around 8pm because of the traffic on this road. It is becoming unbearable and I believe the Lagos State Government can do something about the road or they should speed up the construction process.”
Another motorist identified as Motunrayo claimed that avoidable accidents occur on the road due to the frequent gridlock on the expressway.
She said, “This route is hazardous because of how all those commercial buses drive. Although men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority are trying their best to control the traffic, anyone can scratch your car when there is traffic on the road because everyone wants to get home on time.
“Sometimes, I use BRT or motorcycle to get to my destination because I want to beat traffic and the funny thing is that I have my car but there are days I might have emergencies I need to attend to, and staying in this severe traffic will only make matters worse.
“They have scratched my car here severally but there is nothing I can do about it. I believe motorists can avoid all these troubles if the government can hasten up and finish the bridge as fast as possible.”
A resident, Akinsola Tolulope, said, “I think they are done with the road because I do not see anyone working there. The only place I see them working is on and under the bridge. The construction process has lasted for more than four months now and I am certain most motorists are tired of it.”
When contacted, the Director of Media and Publicity of the Lagos State Ministry of Works, Shina Odunuga, said, “I do not entertain questions on the phone, I do not know you.”
Source: The Punch