Lagos advises motorists to seek alternative routes as Osborne Road closes for repair

The Lagos State government has advised motorists in Ikoyi and environs to seek alternative routes as it announces a two-day traffic diversion on Osborne Road, beginning from August 15 to 17, 2025.

The road, which is a major gateway to the Lagos Mainland through the Third Mainland Bridge, will be closed to enable the state to facilitate drainage connection works.

A statement from the state’s ministry of transportation explains that the traffic diversion is designed to minimise disruption while linking newly constructed drains along Modupe Alakija Crescent to the existing underground drainage beneath Osborne Road’s median.

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“The project involves constructing a cross culvert that requires cutting through a section of Osborne Road before Foreshore Towers,” the statement quotes Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the Commissioner for Transportation, as saying. He disclosed that work would start at 10pm on Friday, August 15, and is expected to end by midnight on Sunday, August 17.

The commissioner explained that “in line with efforts to improve the drainage system on Modupe Alakija Crescent and its environs, there is a need to connect the newly constructed drains, via a cross culvert, to the underground channel beneath the median along Osborne Road.”

According to him, the construction of this cross culvert will require cutting a section of Osborne Road before Foreshore Towers, explaining that the project is part of efforts to improve drainage infrastructure in the area, which will in turn help to reduce flooding and enhance the overall environment for residents and motorists.

Osiyemi announced that, in order to ease traffic flow during the construction, there will be a counterflow arrangement to be implemented along Osborne/Alfred Rewane Road, covering approximately 100 meters from Modupe Alakija Crescent to the Alfred Rewane Road junction.

For that reason, he said, motorists heading to Osborne Road from Alfred Rewane Road will be diverted into a contraflow lane before reconnecting to their normal lane. Meanwhile, inbound traffic on Alfred Rewane Road from Osborne Road will be limited to a single lane.

“Alternative routes have been suggested for motorists. Those traveling from Osborne Road towards Alfred Rewane Road are advised to use Oba Adeyemi Oyekan Avenue to connect to Glover Road, Lugard Avenue, or Cameron Road.

Similarly, motorists heading to Osborne Road from Alfred Rewane Road can use Glover Road, Lugard Avenue, or Cameron Road to reach Oba Adeyemi Oyekan Avenue before continuing their journey,” he said.

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The commissioner appealed to motorists for patience, assuring that the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials will oversee traffic management during the period to reduce inconvenience. “The road is expected to reopen fully on Monday, August 18,” he said.