In a viral news on Monday 25th September 2023, a bridge collapsed on Enugu – Port Harcourt Express Road which necessitated the road users to seek alternative routes due to the unfortunate incident that occurred.
Enugu State Commissioner for Transport, Hon. Dr Obi Ozor, alongside the Commandant, Federal Road Safety Corps(FRSC), Corps Commander Tokunbo Adeyemi, State Traffic Police Commander SP Omeje and the Commander of Enugu State Traffic Management Authority (ESTMA) Wilfred Alor on Tuesday 26th September 2023 paid a visit to the scene where the bridge collapsed, it is located at Kilometre One, between Naira Triangle and Goshen Flyover, Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway. The movement led by the Commissioner of Transport in the State became necessary to assess the situation and how the construction of a new bridge would facilitate dimensional links into other roads within the area for easy seamless movement of people and goods in the State.
During the visit, Hon. Obi Ozor mentioned that construction of the bridge would be an urgent call or an unavoidable need for motorists formerly using the affected bridge to start using alternative routes.
The Commissioner paid attention to details and talked about alternative routes that residents and visitors in the State can use pending when the bridge will be in good shape and available for usage again. His explanation is timely, especially for transporters and road users who may not know other possible routes after the collapse of the bridge.
The Honourable Commissioner mentioned available routes arranged accordingly to avoid traffic gridlock. He stressed that drivers of heavy-duty trucks are to ply the Ugwuaji flyover, while small vehicle drivers coming through the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway are to ply Ekweremadu Junction by Express through Bricks Road to continue to their intended destination(s).
Speaking further, he said that vehicles coming from 9th Mile, Enugu are expected to divert from Abakpa Junction, through 82 Division Road, to New Haven Junction by the express.
To achieve the objectives of ensuring seamless movement in the affected area, he tasked road users, stakeholders and authorities to ensure full compliance with the alternative routes mentioned as the bridge construction process will warrant inevitable roadblocks in the affected area.
In his final remark before leaving the scene he said that Enugu State Traffic Management Authority (ESTMA) and VIO Officials will be on ground at strategic locations within the state metropolis to ensure that motorists comply with the directive to avert any possible traffic gridlocks.