Lagos Opens Agric-Isawo Bridge Section, Eases Commuters’ Hardship

The Lagos State Government has opened the inbound section of the AFA Bridge along the Agric-Isawo Road in Ikorodu to traffic, providing relief to residents and commuters who have endured years of flooding, difficult crossings and prolonged travel delays.

The opening was announced during an inspection of ongoing road and bridge projects across the state by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Olufemi Daramola, alongside the Permanent Secretary, Office of Infrastructure, Olutokunbo Oyenuga, and other technical officials.

The newly opened section forms part of the ongoing reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Agric-Isawo-Konu-Arepo Road project, which includes major bridge works aimed at improving connectivity and easing movement within the area.

Daramola, while inspecting the Asolo Bridge section of the project, said significant progress had been made and confirmed that motorists could now use the inbound section of the AFA Bridge.

“There is good progress on the bridge works. I am happy to tell you that the inbound section of AFA Bridge on Agric-Isawo Road has been opened to traffic. Commuters can now safely use this section of the bridge.

“It is bye-bye to driving through the floodplain. Construction, however, continues on the outbound section,” he said.

The development was welcomed by residents, who said the condition of the road and bridge had subjected them to considerable hardship, particularly during periods of heavy rainfall.

A commuter, Emmanuel Dickson, described the opening as a major relief, expressing appreciation to the state government for completing the section and allowing motorists to use it.

He said residents had endured significant difficulties on the route and described his first drive across the newly opened section as a “dream come true.”

However, authorities cautioned motorists and pedestrians that construction activities were still ongoing in the area.

Oyenuga urged road users to comply with speed limits, traffic instructions and other safety measures. He also warned motorists against unauthorised bus stops and passenger loading around the bridge.

Pedestrians were advised to use designated walkways and stay away from active construction zones.

The Chairman of Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area, Sulaimon Kazeem Olanrewaju, commended the state government for responding to the challenges faced by residents and road users, pledging the council’s support for the effective management and maintenance of the infrastructure.

The Baale of Ajagunro-Owutu, Chief S.O. Orepitan Iwofun, also commended the intervention, saying residents of the Isawo axis had suffered considerable hardship as a result of the poor condition of the road.

Similarly, the General Secretary of the Community Development Committee, Ikorodu West LCDA/Road Committee, Abiodun Dare Sunday, said the opening had ended years of inconvenience for residents.

He said the community could now look forward to easier movement without having to navigate floodwater or struggle to access the bridge deck.

The inspection team also visited the ongoing rehabilitation of Itowolo Bridge and the reconstruction of Aruna U-Turn in Ikorodu Local Government Area.

At Itowolo, the Baale, Chief Sikiru Kolawole Aregbeshola, expressed appreciation for the rehabilitation, noting that residents had repeatedly appealed for government intervention over the condition of the bridge.

The team later inspected the Maidan-Patele Link Bridge and Approach Roads project at Mile 12 in Kosofe Local Council.

The project involves upgrading the existing pedestrian bridge to accommodate both vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

A resident, Dennis Adeola, said the pedestrian bridge had been unusable for almost four years, forcing residents to depend on canoes, particularly during periods of rainfall.

He noted that the situation had created serious difficulties for elderly residents while also contributing to queues and delays in the area.

Daramola said the projects were part of the Lagos State Government’s broader investment in road and bridge infrastructure across the state.

He said the inspection was part of the government’s routine monitoring of ongoing projects and assured residents that the projects would be completed according to schedule.

The Special Adviser also urged motorists to obey traffic signs and avoid construction areas, while appealing to residents to protect public infrastructure after completion.

According to him, the projects were funded with taxpayers’ money and required the cooperation of residents to ensure their sustainability.

He added that the government would collaborate with relevant agencies to strengthen enforcement and sensitise communities on the importance of protecting public infrastructure.