The Lagos State Government has announced that the PWD rail crossing will be closed to vehicular traffic starting May 1, 2025, urging motorists to use alternative routes.
In a statement posted on Wednesday via its official X (formerly Twitter) handle, the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation explained that the decision aims to enhance safety following the launch of the Red Line Metro service last year.
A recent survey highlighted the need for proactive measures to prevent accidents along the corridor. As a result, motorists have been directed to use alternative routes through Ikeja and Airport roads.
“Following a recent survey conducted by the Ministry of Transportation after the commencement of operations on the Red Line Train Service, it has become necessary to implement proactive measures to ensure the safety and security of commuters along the PWD route.
“In line with this, the Lagos State Government has announced the closure of the rail crossing at the PWD axis to vehicular traffic, effective from Thursday, May 1, 2025. Motorists are advised to use alternative routes via Ikeja or Airport roads to reach their destinations,” the statement read in part.
Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, emphasized that the closure is necessary to protect commuters and motorists. He assured the public that officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) would be deployed to manage traffic flow and reduce disruptions.
Key Facts About the Lagos Red Line
The Lagos Red Line, a 37-kilometer rail project, began construction in April 2021, with its first phase inaugurated in February 2024. The line connects Agbado to Oyingbo with eight stations.
Passenger operations commenced in October 2024 after the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) granted a six-month temporary license.
On February 10, 2025, the service increased its frequency to nine daily trips—five in the morning and four in the evening—between Agbado in Ogun State and Oyingbo in Lagos. This marked a significant improvement from the initial two-morning trips, reducing station waiting times to two minutes.
In the same month, the Lagos State Government implemented a 30% fare reduction on the Red Line, lowering the Agbado-Oyingbo fare from N1,500 to N1,000 to encourage wider usage and ease financial burdens on commuters.
Additionally, in November 2024, the government announced plans to concede the Red and Blue Line operations to private-sector players to ensure sustainability and facilitate loan repayment. However, a definitive timeline for the concession and private-sector takeover has yet to be established.
