First phase of Lagos light rail by June

The first phase of the Lagos light railway line covering Marina, Iganmu and Mile 2, will be completed by June, according to the Lagos governor Babatunde Raji Fashola.

Fashola made the statement on 8 January while inspecting the so-called Blue Line whose construction he said was at an advanced stage. The route is part of a major light rail project which includes seven lines, mainly running east-west across Lagos.

The 27.5-km line is being built by the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) will have 13 stations, with a total journey time of approximately 35 minutes.

Fashola said that while the first phase of the project would be ready in June, work on the railway line would continue towards its terminal in Okokomaiko, an eastern suburb of Lagos. There will also be a stop for students of the Lagos State University (LASU) campus in the area.

The governor said that when completed, the railway project would revolutionise transportation in the traffic-clogged city.