Ikorodu-Mile12 BRT Extension to be completed in 1st quarter of 2015

The 13.5 kilometre Mile 12 to Ikorodu Bus Rapid Transit, BRT extension project which has reached 90 percent completion, will be delivered before the end of the first quarter of 2015. When completed, the project will have the capacity to move more than 300,000 passengers daily. This was disclosed to newsmen by the Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority, LAMATA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola.

Mobereola who spoke during a recent inspection tour of the project, explained that to achieve this target, the operator would deploy more than 400 buses. The LAMATA boss who acknowledged that the completion of the project is a little behind schedule, attributed the delay to adverse weather which impacted negatively on the completion date. He however assured that the project would be completed before the end of the first quarter of 2015.

Mobereola described the BRT project as unique because it compares with other BRT systems in Africa and Asia which are also based on median operation.

Mile 12 to Ikorodu lane is a 13.5 kilometre long corridor with 15 bus shelters and a modern bus depot garage built on five hectares of land.

Besides, there are three terminals at Mile 12, Agric and Ikorodu, six pedestrian bridges at Owode, Irawo, Awori, Majidun-Ogolonto, Agric and Haruna, 12 u-turning points (six on each side), provision of at-grade crossings, street lightings and signalized junctions at Ikorodu, Agric and Ogolonto.

The LAMATA boss said the BRT median operation has a lot of advantages over the current BRT system from Mile 12 to CMS as it would be faster, safe and efficient.

In order to ensure the participation of women in the operation, he directed that modality for employing and training women as drivers, bus assistants and mechanics should be worked out.

As the project construction moves towards completion, the LAMATA boss appealed for patience, understanding and cooperation from motorists and residents along the corridor. He enjoined them to bear with the state government as the contractor working on the project has intensified effort to complete it.

When completed, according to plans, the travel time along the corridor will be drastically reduced from 1 hour 30 minutes to 30 minutes, emission cut down by 15 per cent and congestion significantly reduced.

“Also, over 1, 500 employments would be generated while accessibility to the Lagos Central Business District, CBD, would also improve.” Mobereola assured.

This item originally appeared on Vanguard news