By The Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has assured that the 27-kilometre Lagos Blue Rail Line Mass Transit project will be completed before the end of 2022.
He gave the assurance on Wednesday at the launch of the last track beam (T-beam) held at the site of the iconic Marina station of the rail project.
Within the first term of the Sanwo-Olu administration, Lagos will be delivering two rail mass transit projects. The Blue Line, which traverses between Mile 2 and Marina, will be operated on Electric Motor Unit (EMU); the 37-kilometre Red Line, from Agbado to Ebute Metta, will operate on Automotive Gas Oil (AGO).
The governor said the project signposted his administration’s commitment to bringing succour to Lagosians and give them choices in mass transportation.
“Today’s final T-beam launch indicates that we are gradually inching to the completion of the civil infrastructure for the first phase of the Blue Line traversing from Mile 2 to Marina. The engineering work today completes a total of 1,967 piles foundation, while we have also completed three 306 platforms, 310 piers, 267 cover beams and erection of 984 T-beams,” he said.
“We are not just making promises; people are beginning to see for themselves that all the milestones and the difficult tasks we are meant to achieve to ensure operation of the Blue Line are being achieved. The Marina Station, which is the iconic terminal for the Blue Line, will be completed within two-and-half months. I am restating here that we will formally complete this Blue Line before December 31, 2022.”
He noted that the two sets of EMU coaches already procured for the Blue Line operations would arrive in Lagos from China before the end of October, adding that the rail line would be test run immediately after completion, while passenger movement would start within the first quarter of 2023.
Sanwo-Olu said the construction of the second phase of the Blue Line project would commence after the start of operation, which would extend the rail project from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko.
