Motorists and commuters using the deteriorating Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway are expected to experience temporary traffic disruptions as the Lagos State Government begins a 35-day rehabilitation of damaged sections of the busy highway.
The rehabilitation, scheduled to commence tomorrow, will cover sections stretching from Bonny Camp to Admiralty Way Junction, as well as areas around Victoria Garden City (VGC).
The state government said traffic diversion arrangements would be introduced to minimise congestion, improve safety and ensure the smooth execution of the rehabilitation works.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Olufemi Daramola, disclosed the plans during a stakeholders’ engagement organised by the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to discuss the project’s scope and traffic management arrangements.
Daramola said the meeting reflected the government’s policy of consulting residents, businesses and other road users before embarking on major infrastructure projects.
He explained that feedback from stakeholders would help guide implementation, particularly as Lagos prepares for increased traffic during the festive season.
The government appealed to motorists and residents to cooperate with traffic management officials throughout the construction period to reduce inconvenience along the corridor.
Lekki-Epe Expressway Repairs Target Damaged Sections
The rehabilitation is expected to improve road safety, ease traffic movement and restore damaged sections of the strategic expressway, which connects residential communities, commercial centres and major industrial investments across the Lekki-Epe axis.
The highway provides access to the Lekki Free Zone, Dangote Refinery, Dangote Fertiliser Factory, Lekki Deep Sea Port and Eleganza Industrial Estate.
It also serves major residential developments and educational institutions, including Pan-Atlantic University and Lagos Business School, making it an important route for commuters, businesses and freight operators.
However, rapid urbanisation, expanding commercial activities and rising traffic volumes have accelerated the deterioration of parts of the expressway, leaving motorists to contend with difficult journeys and delays.
The latest intervention is intended to address some of these challenges while supporting economic activities along one of Lagos State’s fastest-growing development corridors.
Lagos Government Addresses Drainage Concerns
Beyond road rehabilitation, the state government said it was also addressing drainage concerns along the corridor as part of broader efforts to improve transportation infrastructure.
Daramola noted that the proposed Green Line rail project would complement ongoing and planned interventions aimed at improving connectivity across the Lekki-Epe axis.
The Director of Projects, Ibironke Olukoko, said the rehabilitation would facilitate the movement of passengers and goods while improving access to rapidly developing residential and commercial communities between Victoria Island and Epe.
Stakeholders at the meeting, however, stressed that road improvements must be accompanied by effective drainage infrastructure to tackle flooding and prevent further deterioration.
The Chairman of the Victoria Island and Ikoyi Residents Association, Prince Akin Fadoju, called for urgent and sustained intervention to address drainage problems in the area.
Although he acknowledged that the challenges predated the current administration, he emphasised the need for lasting solutions.
Other participants urged the government to ensure that traffic management officials remained on duty throughout the construction period to direct motorists and prevent gridlock.
They also called for alternative routes to be maintained in good condition and for adequate security measures to protect road users during the rehabilitation.
Lagos Highlights Previous Lekki-Epe Expressway Projects
The 35-day rehabilitation forms part of the Lagos State Government’s broader programme to upgrade the Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway, which has become increasingly important to the state’s residential and economic expansion.
In November 2020, the government awarded the first phase of the rehabilitation and upgrading project, covering 18.75 kilometres from Eleko to Epe T-Junction in Ibeju-Lekki.
The three-lane dual carriageway, constructed with reinforced concrete pavement and ancillary facilities, was completed and commissioned in February 2023.
Subsequent phases, identified as Phases IIA and IIB, were awarded to extend improvements along the corridor from Eleko Junction towards Abraham Adesanya.
The government also completed rehabilitation works on damaged sections between Admiralty Intersection and Ajah Jubilee Flyover.
According to Daramola, the state has reconstructed and rehabilitated 69.44 kilometres of the expressway, comprising 49.7 kilometres of reinforced concrete pavement and 19.76 kilometres of flexible pavement.
The latest works are expected to complement these previous interventions by addressing additional deteriorated sections along the route.
Green Line Rail Project Expected to Improve Connectivity
Lagos is also pursuing long-term transportation improvements through the proposed Green Line mass transit project.
In April 2025, the state government awarded the development of early infrastructure for the proposed rail corridor, which is planned to run from Marina through the Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe axis towards the proposed Lekki International Airport.
The project is intended to improve connections between Lagos Island and the state’s rapidly developing eastern corridor while providing an additional transportation option for commuters.
The rail plan is also being developed with consideration for emerging infrastructure, including the proposed Fourth Mainland Bridge and the future expansion of Ogombo Road.
If implemented as planned, the Green Line could complement road infrastructure and help address growing transport demand along the Lekki-Epe corridor.
Motorists Urged to Prepare for Traffic Disruptions
For motorists who rely on the Eti-Osa-Lekki-Epe Expressway daily, the immediate concern will be navigating the construction period without severe delays.
The effectiveness of traffic diversion arrangements, the condition of alternative routes and the availability of traffic management officials will be critical to minimising congestion during the 35-day rehabilitation.
Residents, commuters, businesses and transport operators are expected to be affected by the works, particularly those travelling between Victoria Island, Lekki, Ajah, Ibeju-Lekki and Epe.
The timely completion of the rehabilitation will also be important in restoring smoother movement along the corridor as traffic demand rises during the festive season.
Motorists are therefore advised to pay attention to official traffic advisories and follow instructions from traffic management personnel once the diversion arrangements take effect.
The success of the intervention will depend not only on repairing damaged road sections but also on maintaining safe traffic flow and ensuring that alternative routes remain accessible throughout the construction period.