*Flags off expansion to Abraham Adesanya Roundabout
The first phase of the reconstruction and upgrading of the Eti Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway has been completed and opened to public use.
Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu was accompanied by joyful residents to commission the 18.75-kilometre stretch from Eleko to Epe T-Junction, turning a two-lane rural road to a six-lane rigid concrete carriageway.
The construction marked a significant improvement in the effort to redevelop the rural road, built over 40 years ago. Before the reconstruction, the infrastructure was in decrepit condition due to upsurge in average daily traffic volume, subjecting road users to intractable holdups and hardship.
The road upgrade to six lanes, with street lights and dedicated tracks for trailers, has changed the narrative and brought a huge relief to motorists plying the route.
After inaugurating the road, Sanwo-Olu also flagged off the second phase of the road project, which will extend the construction from Eleko axis to Abraham Adesanya Roundabout.
The Governor, said the project’s second phase would be done in two segments for ease of funding and to reduce the traffic impact of the construction work on commuters.
The 18.6km first segment he said, would take off from Eleko to Awoyaya and to critical sections around Majek and Ogidan.
Second segment, which is 11km, will kick off at Ogidan to Abraham Adesanya roundabout.
The Governor said the development marked another effort by his administration at investing in infrastructure that would impact positively on the socio-economic well-being of the residents.
Before the intervention, Sanwo-Olu said the expressway was in critical condition, creating agony for travellers and causing pain in the movement of goods and services.
He said: “Inauguration of this road project we are opening today is coming after 40 years the infrastructure was originally constructed as a rural cross-section without drain. Our administration flagged off the reconstruction and upgrading of the Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway from the existing two-lane to a three-lane dual carriageway with a reinforced concrete pavement and with a lane in each direction dedicated for trucks to accommodate the envisaged axle loads.
Chairman of Ibeju Lekki Local Government Area, Hon. Abdullah Olowa, said the delivery of the infrastructure had started changing residents’ agonising story, praising Sanwo-Olu for heeding the calls for restoration and expansion of the road.
A fisherman and regular road user, Alani Bello, said: “The road had been impassable for many years, because of the pressure on it.
“We usually planned our journey ahead due to the gridlock.
“With the reconstruction of the road to six-lane, we now enjoy some relief, even though the work is yet to complete.”
