Stakeholders, LAMATA endorse Ikorodu BRT extension project implementation

With the successful completion of the of the much publicised N30 billion expansion work on the 13.5 kilometre Mile12 to Ikorodu Road project, stakeholders are expressing relief and optimism as the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) is set to roll out 400 buses to service the new route. Adejuwon Osunnuyi writes.

For the residents of Ikorodu town of Lagos state, they seem to have every cause to be delighted. With the successful completion of the much publicised N30 billion expansion work on the 13.5 kilometre Mile12 to Ikorodu Road project, as expected, the nightmare they have been experiencing over the years over persistent traffic snarl seem to be over.

Basking in the euphoria of the successful completion of the road expansion project, at an enlarged stakeholders meeting organised by the promoter of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT ) extension project along the Mile 12-Ikorodu town axis, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), stakeholders mainly from Ikorodu expressed optimism and support for the project.

At the forum held at the new BRT Depot at the CCECC Work Yard) Majidun, Ikorodu, it was attended virtually by traditional rulers, communities leaders, market leaders as well as other market men and women whose former stalls were affected by the road extension project. Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, LAMATA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola thanked all stakeholders for their patience and cooperation on the successful implementation of the project.

Speaking through the LAMATA’s Director of Public Transportation, Mr. Olugbenga Dairo, he said the BRT dedicated lane would be ready before the end of July as there are still finishing touches meant to be put. Mobereola gave the assurance that about 400 buses are expected to begin operation on the road before the end of July. According to him, “The first step was to expand the road and create the space for the BRT , which we have done.

And with the expansion, other vehicles can now make use of the other lanes. The next step is now for us to provide the BRT buses and for us to also have the supporting infrastructure in place. For example, where we are now (Majidun) is going to be a place where the buses would be parked, serviced and washed. It is nearing completion as you can see.

“For now about 400 buses are expected to be provided to begin operation by June or July.” He said. “Aside from the road, we have embarked on the construction of the parking lot for the buses. With this, buses will not park on the road after the day’s work but the park where they can be maintained- washed, repaired and others – within the premises,” he said.

According to him, it was better for the agency to parley with the residents of Ikorodu to thank them on the project, which according to him, would bring further development, infrastructure and business opportunities to the Ikorodu environs.

He said the stakeholders meeting was organised because it is an avenue where all the stakeholders on the BRT expansion project converge and collaborate with the community people to know their minds about what they want and proffer suggestions to the agency on what to do, adding that it was better to carry the community along on the project.

The LAMATA’s boss stressed that the project was conceived to extend BRT service from Mile 12 to Ikorodu, while also improving the Ikorodu road network infrastructure. The highpoint of the event however was the presentation of stores to market men and women whose stores were affected by the extension project.

It would be recalled that the BRT extension project has affected the renowned Ayangburen international market, thus depriving market women and men to trade. Expressing their joy over the fulfillment of promise made by LAMATA to build a new market and relocate those affected there, Adijat Solaja, Secretary of the market women in Ikorodu said they remain optimistic that most of them would get allocation into the new stores.

About six markets are to be relocated to the new market located at Agric area. As at today, the 59-year-old dual carriageway has been expanded into six lanes with Bus Rapid Transit, BRT route in the middle.

Other features of the multimillion naira road project include 15 BRT bus stations, three terminals –to be located at Mile 12, Agric and Ikorodu, nine new bridges, seven pedestrian bridges to access BRT stations, nine pedestrian crossing points, 12 new U-turns to allow for traffic going towards Lagos and Ikorodu, lane markings and streetlights.

The Mile 12 – Ikorodu Town BRT Extension is a project that had been conceived to extend BRT service from Mile 12 to Ikorodu while also improving the Ikorodu road network infrastructure. The Lagos State Government is desirous of this project, which includes major civil works and provision of complimentary BRT infrastructures.

The corridor covers a distance of about 13.5km.The width of the existing road is a 7.5 metres, with central median of 2m width. The BRT is designed to be implemented as median running with bilateral bus stations configurations linked to pedestrian bridges for pedestrian access.

Unlike the existing Mile 12 – CMS BRT system tagged BRT lite, the new Ikorodu-Mile 12 is tagged BRT Classic where the BRT lanes will run in the middle without any interference from other traffic except at designated new u-turn points. It is a bilateral operation, which has the BRT lanes partially segregated along the corridor causing interference with other traffic.

The road is expected to provide affordable transportation, better road network, public transport with faster and reliable journey times, clean and better quality buses as well as reduction in waiting time for buses with limited queues through improved bus frequencies.

Aside provision of a safe and secured transportation system, the new road is expected to provide a regulated transport system where queries and complaints can be addressed, reduction in the number of unregulated public transport vehicles on the corridor, improved lifestyle of people and businesses along the corridor with good linkage to major activity and recreation centres as well as creating over 2,000 direct jobs and 5, 000 indirect jobs.

While the BRT system is right at the middle of the road, passengers are expected to get access to the buses through pedestrian bridges at each bus station/ shelter that will take them to the bus station/shelters to access the buses and out of the bus station/shelters.

There are total of 15 bus stations – seven on either side with one at Mile 12. The bus stations/ shelters will be located at Mile 12, Owode Onirin, Owode, Irawo, Majidun, Ogolonto, Agric and Aruna.