The Federal Government will fully shut down the Ijora Bridge in Lagos from April 27 for critical structural repairs, including the replacement of around 50 defective bearings beneath the deck.

During an inspection on Monday, Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, said: “This bridge has been awarded for some time now in different phases. We are now at the final phase, which involves lifting the entire bridge deck to change the faulty bearings beneath.”

She explained that the Ijora Bridge, a key link to Apapa's Tincan and Apapa ports, has not seen major repairs since it was constructed decades ago. Complaints of “intense vibrations” prompted urgent action, though Kesha reassured the public: “It will not collapse, but it definitely needs help.”

Traffic diversions will reroute vehicles via the Seven Up Roundabout and Costain-Iganmu corridor. Kesha noted that the Federal Ministry of Works has mapped out alternative routes to minimise gridlock.

“We want members of the public to know that this is for their safety. With their cooperation, we can finish this work in time and restore the bridge to a much safer condition,” she added.