The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, Mr. Adedamola Kuti has said the Apapa Bridge will be closed for permanent repairs as soon as stakeholders come up with alternative routes for commuters to ply.
He said that Julius Berger Plc, the contractor handling the project, was ready to move to site.
The controller said that the ministry was working on effective traffic diversion alternatives that would ensure minimal stresses on users then.
He explained that the bridge was still in use because of an earlier emergency repair work done by Julius Berger to stabilise it.
He said that Messrs Buildwell Nigeria Ltd., had completed permanent repairs on an extension of the bridge which was damaged by fire.
He said that when Julius Berger returned to site, it would carry out permanent repairs on the portion of the bridge awarded to it.
“The repair work will be done on the bridge slab on the outbound Apapa carriageway.
“The situation we have found ourselves now is that for Julius Berger to start work, it means we have to divert traffic and we are still looking for the best alternatives.
“We have all sorts of trucks; lorries on this Apapa road, and as a result of that, we are having problems of diversion and that is what we are still looking at.
“We hope that very soon, we will be able to come up with the best solution on how to solve the traffic situation there.
“We are grateful to the Federal Government that has intervened by awarding the contract for the permanent repairs of the bridge to Julius Berger Construction Company.
“We will be coming up with solutions on traffic diversions in the next few days,’’ he said.
