Lagos-Badagry Expressway: 18-Week Traffic Diversion Commences at Iyana-Iba
Lagos-Badagry Expressway
The Lagos State Government has officially announced a traffic diversion plan for the Lagos-Badagry Expressway scheduled to last for 18 weeks, starting from Monday, 19 January 2026. This measure is necessary to facilitate the repair and maintenance of the bridge at the Iyana-Iba interchange, ensuring the structural integrity of this critical transport corridor.
Scope of the Maintenance Project
According to a statement issued by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, the repair works will focus on the expansion joints and the structural reinforcement of the bridge. The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Oluwaseun Osiyemi, confirmed that the project is part of a broader infrastructure renewal strategy aimed at reducing long-term maintenance costs and improving road safety. The 18-week timeline is designed to allow for the completion of intensive civil engineering tasks while minimizing permanent closures.
Traffic Management and Alternative Routes
To mitigate the impact on commuters and logistics operators, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has outlined specific diversionary routes. Motorists travelling toward Badagry from Mile 2 will be diverted into the service lane at Iyana-Iba, while those approaching from the opposite direction will experience lane narrowing and periodic redirections.
The Ministry has deployed additional LASTMA personnel to the Iyana-Iba axis to manage the anticipated increase in congestion. Furthermore, the government has directed that heavy-duty vehicles and long-distance haulage trucks utilize the corridor only during off-peak hours where possible to alleviate pressure on the service lanes.
Strategic Impact on Logistics and Real Estate
The Lagos-Badagry Expressway serves as a primary artery for international trade, connecting Nigeria with the Republic of Benin and other West African markets. This 18-week intervention, while causing short-term delays, is essential for the preservation of the Blue Line Rail infrastructure and the surrounding commercial nodes.
Investors and logistics professionals should account for increased transit times when planning movements through the Alaba International Market and the Agbara Industrial Estate. Real estate stakeholders in the Ojo and Badagry corridors view these continuous infrastructure upgrades as a positive indicator for long-term property appreciation, despite the immediate operational inconveniences.
The structural maintenance at Iyana-Iba represents a necessary phase in the Lagos State Government’s commitment to world-class infrastructure. While the 18-week duration presents a challenge for daily commuters, the successful completion of these repairs will safeguard the expressway's capacity to handle high-volume commercial traffic. Stakeholders are advised to stay updated via official government channels for any adjustments to the diversion schedule.
