The Lagos State Government on Friday announced the closure of the Marine Bridge Road (Inward Ijora) in Apapa preparatory to the commencement of repair works by the contractors of the Federal Ministry of Works.

“The emergency and immediate closure is to also allow the Federal Ministry carryout studies to determine the state of the Bridge and effect appropriate repairs,” a State Government statement said.

“While the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing has assured of immediate action towards repairing the Bridge as it may deem fit, the Lagos State Government is committed to putting in place effective traffic management strategies that will mitigate the impact of the closure,” the statement added.

Accordingly, the following routes can be used by commuters as alternate routes:

i. Traffic coming from Wharf Base/Point Road should divert at service Lane (Marine Beach Road) by Leventis Junction to Link Lilly Pond by Dockyard and ascend Ijora Bridge to continue their journey.

ii. Motorists traveling to Ajegunle should take a left turn at the second junction under the Apapa Road Bridge to Marine Beach Junction inward Ajegunle or back to Ijora Bridge and continue their journey.

The statement, however, said that this option is not to be used by heavy duty vehicles.

The State Government implored the National Union of Petroleum and Gas Workers (NUPENG) and its members to observe the reroute especially so as not to block the road when accessing the Tank Farms at Lilly Pond.

“The State Government has among other initiatives deployed various signages directing traffic appropriately. It is equally important to ask motorist to please obey personnel of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Police and other Law Enforcement Agencies deployed to control and manage traffic in the area.

This is in our collective interest,” the statement said.

•Photo shows Lagos Governor Akinwumi Ambode.