Lekki Concession Company (“LCC”) has recorded yet another important milestone in the ongoing rehabilitation and upgrade of the Lekki-Epe Expressway with its announcement to the Media today that Lekki Phase I Roundabout also known as “First Roundabout” will be open for vehicular use by tomorrow 31st March 2010.
According to Opuiyo Oforiokuma Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LCC the new Lekki First Roundabout is “a significant improvement on what it used to be”. “The new Lekki First Roundabout he stated has been totally rebuilt reconfigured and expanded to include additional lanes enforced separation of lanes new bus lay-byes new drainage culverts new traffic islands and new underground ducts amongst other features. Some of the new lanes are now dedicated to carrying left-turning traffic into and out of Lekki Phase One Estate thereby reducing some of the conflict points that existed with the old roundabout. In so doing said Oforiokuma traffic flow should be improved. He also emphasized that “road users must learn the rules of the road in how to properly drive through roundabouts in order to get the maximum utility out of the new First Roundabout”. When asked what the most important rules were. Oforiokuma emphasized that “it’s about who has the right of way when in a roundabout and who has to yield; the rule is that drivers should always yield to traffic coming from the left and already in the roundabout. Drivers should also plan their passage through roundabouts in advance and properly select the appropriate lane for the direction they want to go in rather than weaving around while in the roundabout”.
Oforiokuma added that the completion of First Roundabout is very much in line with projections for the completion of the entire Lekki-Epe Expressway which is still targeted for completion by end 2011. Another equally vital milestone was the revamping and expansion of the 2km Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue stretch of the expressway which has long been concluded.
Further sections that are fast nearing completion under the current phase of the construction said Oforiokuma are the expansion of the Exxon-Mobil Bridge from four lanes to six lanes and the construction of the new Toll Plaza which will be known in future as “Admiralty Circle Plaza”. “The work on the new Exxon-Mobil Bridge and Admiralty Circle Plaza will be completed soon” he said. He also highlighted the ongoing construction of the new on-ramp bridge by Caverton Helicopters and Law School which will link Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue directly with the Falomo Bridge. This ramp he said should considerably ease up the perennial traffic bottleneck at the Adeyemo Alakija intersection when complete.
Oforiokuma commended the patience of commuters of the Lekki-Epe axis in the period since the ongoing construction adding that “your understanding and occasional commendation of our efforts despite the inconveniences you are experiencing remain a source of inspiration to us at LCC and our contractors working on the construction project.”
Oforiokuma assured residents and commuters that LCC will leave no stone unturned in its efforts to deliver a world class expressway on time. “In so doing we will be delivering enhanced convenience for millions of Nigerians who use the road daily as they will save precious man-hours in commuting to and from their chosen destinations.” Oforiokuma added that LCC continues to provide a number of convenience services to road users including assistance to motorists whose vehicles break down as well as surveillance and other initiatives to enhance safety on the expressway. “We fully appreciate the immense value which this expressway portends for enhancing economic development and productivity along the axis and will continue to strive to ensure that our contractors and other partners complete the project in 2011 as promised.”
The landmark Lekki-Epe Expressway project is a flagship Public Private Partnership initiative that is being driven by LCC under a 30-year Concession Mandate from Lagos State Government. The approximately 50-Kilometer road will be fully rehabilitated and upgraded with several significant new features added and thereafter managed throughout this 30 year period. Another 20 Kilometers of Coastal Road is also planned to be constructed as part of the project. The initiative is privately financed by LCC who has successfully raised long-term funds from several offshore and local financial institutions and has attracted considerable international interest in the light of its magnitude and novelty. The entire infrastructure will be transferred back to the Lagos State at the expiration of the 30- year concession term.
For more information please contact
Charles Imevbore
Head Corporate Affairs and Communications LCC
01 271 9700
info@lcc.com.ng
www.lcc.com.ng