Lagos opens inbound carriageway of AFA Bridge in Ikorodu

The Lagos State Government has opened the inbound carriageway of the AFA Bridge on Agric-Isawo Road, Ikorodu, to traffic, easing movement for motorists who have had to contend with flooding and the poor condition of the old crossing.

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According to a report by Punch Newspaper on Wednesday, the opening came during an inspection of road and bridge projects in Ikorodu and Kosofe by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Olufemi Daramola; the Permanent Secretary, Office of Infrastructure, Olutokunbo Oyenuga; and other government officials.

Mr Daramola stated that the newly opened carriageway would enable motorists to use the elevated section of the bridge while construction continues on the outbound carriageway.

“There’s good progress on the bridge works. I’m happy to tell you that the inbound section of AFA Bridge on Agric-Isawo Road has been opened to traffic. Commuters can now safely use this section of the bridge. It’s bye to driving through the floodplain,” he said on Monday.

The opening is expected to ease one of the major problems along the Agric-Isawo corridor, where flooding has repeatedly disrupted movement.

In August 2025, flooding from the Afa River submerged parts of the old crossing, leaving motorists stranded. Some pedestrians were forced to use makeshift wooden stairs to reach the elevated bridge.

The flooding along the corridor has been a longstanding problem. In 2018, residents told The Nation that heavy rainfall regularly made parts of the Agric-Isawo-Arepo Road difficult to pass, forcing commuters to wade through floodwater or pay extra fares to get through affected sections.

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Mr Daramola urged motorists to obey temporary traffic management measures, observe speed limits and avoid reckless driving as work on the bridge continues.

He also directed motorists to avoid unauthorised bus stops and passenger loading around the bridge, while pedestrians were advised to use designated walkways and keep away from construction areas.

For residents, the opening brought some relief after years of dealing with the difficult crossing.

The General Secretary of the CDC Ikorodu West LCDA Road Committee, Abiodun Sunday, noted that residents had waited long for the situation to improve.

“After years of patience, endurance and inconvenience, relief is finally here. No more wallowing through floodwater. No more climbing the staircase to get to the bridge deck,” Mr Sunday said.

The Baale of Itowolo, Sikiru Aregbeshola, also commended the government for work on the Itowolo Bridge, whose poor condition, he said, had been a longstanding concern for residents.

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The inspection team later visited the Maidan-Patele Link Bridge and Approach Roads at Mile 12, where residents said the project would improve access to their communities.

The project followed the collapse of the former Maidan pedestrian bridge during a downpour in July 2022. The collapse left residents of nearby communities relying on boats to cross the area.

Mr Daramola urged residents to protect the new infrastructure and help ensure that the roads and bridges are properly maintained.

“Let’s all take possession of the road. Let’s manage it well. It’s taxpayers’ money that is used to provide it,” he stated.