Plan your movement: Gridlock imminent as Lagos begins 18-week repair of popular bridge

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Traffic congestion is expected to intensify along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway from next week as the Lagos State Government commences extensive rehabilitation works on the Mazamaza Bridge, raising concerns of gridlock on one of the state’s busiest corridors.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, disclosed that the repair works, covering the replacement of expansion joints and other critical bridge elements, will run for 18 weeks, from Monday, January 19 to Thursday, May 28, 2026.

Osiyemi said the intervention, which will affect both the service and toll lanes on the inbound and outbound Lagos-Badagry carriageway, is necessary to ensure the long-term safety and durability of the bridge.

He noted that although sections of the bridge will be partially closed at different stages, it will not be completely shut at any point.

He stated that traffic would be managed through carefully planned diversions involving the toll lane, BRT corridor and service lane, depending on the phase of work being carried out.

According to him, the rehabilitation will be executed in phases, beginning with a preliminary stage in late January, followed by repairs on the Badagry-bound lanes and later the Lagos-bound lanes.

Osiyemi added that officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) would be deployed to manage vehicular movement and minimise delays.

He urged motorists to exercise patience, obey traffic signs and comply with officials’ directives, stressing that the temporary inconvenience is aimed at preventing more serious disruptions in the future.