The Lagos State Government has begun the construction of alternative road from Olopomeji areas of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria in order decongest the Iyana Oworoshoki gridlock.
Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Dayo Mobereola said in Lagos on Monday at a news conference that as part of effort aimed at totally ensuring the removal of traffic on the expressway between tollgate and Third Mainland Bridge, the government would be constructing a slip road (an alternative parallel road) at Oduduwa Road.
“This road will run parallel to the Third Mainland bridge highway. The road will carry traffic to Iyana Oworoshoki community and at the same time remove traffic caused by commercial yellow buses that pick passengers on the highway.
“We have, however, commenced the construction from Olopomeji to Ifako Bus Stop. It is also significant to state that there are encumbrances on the “right of way” which needs to be cleared to make way for the road,” he explained.
Mobereola, who was represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Anofi Elegushi disclosed that a storey building belonging to Chief Afolabi Yusuf would be demolished while walls and shops numbering 11 and 16 respectively and four other buildings which would be affected minimally.
“As an administration which cares for the interest of the citizens, we have engaged with those involved with a view to seeing just how they can be compensated. In the particular instance of the house to be demolished, compensation has been paid. Those with minimal demolition will also be compensated by way of replacement of fence walls, culverts where necessary,” he explained.
He said the need to establish the right of way and the occasion for demolition was traceable to the quality and specification of the road to be built.
Mobereola called on all affected by the project to partner with the state government to quickly deliver on the project as such partnership was in the overall interest of the citizens of Lagos.
“It is important to further state that we will be replicating the same development on the Lagos bound traffic so as to deal with the early morning peak period rush. Governor Ambode has, in fact, approved this and efforts are on to bring this to fruition,” he said.
Mobereola, however, said some of the projects, especially the multiple Laybys to decongest traffic had been completed, saying that the Oworoshoki multiple Laybys created to remove traffic from the expressway had impacted traffic at peak period from Lagos towards Ikeja.
The project is being handled by Messrs F.C.C. Nig. Limited.