Lagos Closes Eko Bridge Tuesday for Repairs, Safety Investigations
Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- The Lagos State Government has announced the emergency closure of the Eko Bridge, outbound to Lagos Island, for repairs and safety investigations.
- The closure, effective Tuesday, May 12, 2026, affects the stretch between Apongbon and Ijora Olopa.
- Motorists are advised to use the Third Mainland Bridge as an alternative, while the inward Lagos Island carriageway of Eko Bridge will remain open.
The Lagos State Government has taken decisive action to ensure public safety by ordering the emergency closure of a section of the Eko Bridge. This critical infrastructure, vital for connecting Lagos Island to the mainland, will undergo necessary repairs and safety investigations, demonstrating the government's commitment to the well-being of its citizens.
The closure will commence on Tuesday, 12th May, 2026
Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, announced that the closure, commencing Tuesday, May 12, 2026, will impact the outbound carriageway between Apongbon and Ijora Olopa. This measure, while potentially causing temporary inconvenience, is essential given the "urgent structural concerns" identified in recent inspections, as previously reported by PUNCH Online.
The affected section covers the stretch between Apongbon and Ijora Olopa.
Motorists are being advised to utilize the Third Mainland Bridge as an alternative route. To mitigate traffic disruptions, the statement assures that adequate traffic and security personnel will be deployed along alternative routes to guide drivers and ensure smooth traffic flow. The inward Lagos Island carriageway of the Eko Bridge will remain accessible, providing some continuity for commuters.
In view of the closure between Apongbon and Ijora Olopa, members of the motoring public are advised to use the Third Mainland Bridge to access their desired destinations.
This closure follows a broader context of infrastructure assessment in Lagos, where detailed underwater surveys have revealed critical defects in several major bridges, including Carter Bridge and the Third Mainland Bridge. The proactive closure of the Eko Bridge underscores the government's commitment to addressing these structural issues before they pose a greater risk, prioritizing safety above all else.
The inward Lagos Island carriageway will remain open to motorists.
Originally published by The Punch in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.