Lagos Pledges Seamless Traffic Flow As Lekki–Epe Expressway Repairs Commence

The Lagos State Government has moved to allay public concerns over traffic disruption as rehabilitation work begins on the 20-kilometre Lekki–Epe Expressway, assuring motorists that robust measures are in place to keep vehicles moving and commuters safe throughout the 64-day exercise.

Reaffirming the administration’s commitment to order and safety, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa, said the project would be executed without a complete closure of the busy corridor. Instead, he explained, traffic control would be applied strategically at critical junctions and known pressure points to minimise inconvenience.

Addressing officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Giwa disclosed that a phased traffic management framework has been activated, backed by the deployment of over 305 personnel to strengthen the three existing operational zones along the Lekki–Epe axis. The objective, he noted, is to sustain free flow, enforce compliance and guarantee swift intervention where incidents occur.

He attributed the intense traffic on the corridor to rapid economic expansion driven by landmark investments such as the Lekki Deep Sea Port, Lekki Free Trade Zone and the Dangote Refinery, alongside other emerging industrial and commercial hubs. According to him, these developments have increased vehicular pressure, making proactive traffic coordination imperative.

To prevent gridlock arising from breakdowns or emergencies, Giwa said LASTMA has stationed a fleet of recovery vehicles of varying capacities to promptly clear obstructions and avert secondary congestion. He added that drone technology would also be deployed to provide real-time aerial surveillance, enabling faster detection and resolution of traffic incidents on the expressway and adjoining routes.

The traffic management plan, he further explained, includes the installation of clear directional signage, enhanced lighting and other safety features to support motorists navigating the construction zone. Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) brigade have equally been mobilised to complement LASTMA’s operations and safeguard lives and property.

Motorists were encouraged to consider alternative routes to ease pressure on the expressway, with the Coaster Road linking Ogombo through Abraham Adesanya identified as a viable option during the rehabilitation period.

Giwa appealed for patience and cooperation from road users, urging them to drive responsibly, obey traffic regulations and work with officers on duty. He stressed that collective discipline remains central to the successful delivery of the project.

Residents were also advised to promptly report traffic incidents via LASTMA’s toll-free line, 0800 005 27862, with assurances of timely and professional response.

The state government described the ongoing rehabilitation as a strategic intervention aimed at improving mobility, enhancing road safety and sustaining Lagos’ economic momentum, calling on the public to support the effort in the broader interest of the state’s long-term development.