Eko Bridge has been shut for maintenance works for some months now. The project which is a joint collaboration between Lagos State Government and the federal ministry of works and housing has been receiving urgent attention in order to relieve other road networks in the state.
It will be recalled that in March 2020, the Lagos State Government announced alternative routes for motorists as a section of Eko Bridge was closed to enable rehabilitation works on worn-out bearings noticed between Alaka and Costain portion inwards Apongbon.
Eko Bridge is one of three bridges connecting Lagos Island to the mainland, the other are the Third Mainland and Carter bridges.
Eko bridge was made in order to convey citizens faster. Bolu Akande brought up the idea in a summit of leaders In 1963 but no one listened to him till 1965. It was the first major project undertaken by Julius Berger which was approved for the by Shehu Shagari who was then the Minister of Works during Nigeria’ First Republic.
The bridge starts from Ijora on the mainland and ends at the Apongbon area of Lagos Island. The lagoon section of the bridge spans a distance of 430 metres. The bridge and its landward extension of 1350 metres were constructed in phases between 1965 and 1975. It serves as the preferred access point for vehicular traffic approaching Lagos Island from the Apapa and Surulere areas of Lagos.