The Federal Government has announced plans to reroute part of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway through the existing East-West Road, following engineering challenges encountered along the proposed route in Ondo State.
David Umahi, Minister of Works, disclosed that President Bola Tinubu directed the ministry to use the existing East-West Road to connect Ondo and Edo states instead of constructing a new alignment.
According to Umahi, the President instructed the ministry to divert the highway through the existing road corridor rather than develop another route from scratch. The decision is also intended to address concerns about flooding and difficult terrain along the corridor.
The minister explained that sections of the East-West Road, particularly around Ughelli in Delta State, are vulnerable to flooding. He said the road was constructed before the full effects of climate change were anticipated, making improvements necessary to withstand rising flood levels.
Umahi disclosed that the Federal Government plans to raise some sections of the road by approximately two metres above the existing road level and expected flood levels. He added that Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori had intervened over the persistent flooding challenges.
ENGINEERING CHALLENGES PROMPT ROUTE REDESIGN
The Minister of Works also defended the decision to alter parts of the coastal highway’s alignment in Ondo State, insisting that the original route presented serious engineering difficulties.
He said the proposed corridor contained deep pits and areas where suitable sharp sand for construction was unavailable, making the original design significantly more expensive and technically challenging.
According to Umahi, the government therefore adopted an alternative alignment to avoid the difficult terrain. He disclosed that extensive sand-filling operations, exceeding 10 metres in some locations, were almost complete.
The minister added that the changes affected Sections 4A and 4B, covering a combined distance of 67 kilometres, with 27 kilometres in Ogun State and approximately 40 kilometres in Ondo State.
He said the corridor would terminate around the Ondo-Edo axis, while the 45-kilometre Benin bypass would help reduce traffic congestion within Benin City. The combined Ondo-Edo corridor, including the bypass, is expected to cover 104 kilometres.
Umahi maintained that the decisions were based on engineering considerations, despite petitions questioning the route changes.
UPDATE ON THE WIDER COASTAL HIGHWAY PROJECT
Providing an update on other sections of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, Umahi said the first section, measuring 47.47 kilometres from Victoria Island in Lagos, had been completed and was ready for commissioning.
He added that the 55-kilometre second section, extending towards the Lagos-Ogun boundary, was expected to be completed the following month. The ministry has also redesigned some flyovers, overpasses and underpasses around the Dangote Refinery and Lekki Deep Seaport to minimise traffic conflicts involving major infrastructure projects.
At the Calabar end, the minister said Sections 3A and 3B, covering 65 kilometres, had recorded more than 30 per cent completion.
Construction is also ongoing on an 82-kilometre dual carriageway in Akwa Ibom State, alongside an 88-kilometre link between Calabar and Ebidi Beach intended to connect with the Trans-Saharan route.
Umahi further disclosed that surveys and procurement processes were underway for a 129-kilometre dual carriageway linking the Edo-Delta boundary to the Delta-Bayelsa boundary, with construction expected to begin in November.
Other projects mentioned include the 15-kilometre Eleme Junction-to-Onne Road and the 9.7-kilometre Eket bypass.
The minister also said contractors had been mobilised for emergency repairs and reconstruction of the road linking Akwa Ibom State to Calabar through Odukpani. However, he noted that the scope of the contract previously handled by CCECC had been reduced because of funding constraints.
The Federal Government says the ongoing road projects are intended to improve connectivity, ease traffic congestion and support economic activities across the South-West and South-South regions.
