by Ajadi Daniel
The Lagos light rail project is the flagship of rail projects in the country, and the economic potential of the project to the economy of Lagos cannot be overemphasized.
The blue rail line light rail project is presently under construction by the Lagos state government. According to LAMATA, it is a 27 km rail road with thirteen stations from Okokomaiko to Marina.
Most of the route will be on the surface, running east-west, in the central reservation of the rebuilt Badagry Expressway between Igbo-Elerin Road (Okokomaiko) and Iganmu.
The line will run on elevated structure from Iganmu along the south side of the expressway passing the junction with Eric Moore Road, crossing just south of the National Theatre to Iddo, then south to Lagos Island with a terminal at Marina. Construction is presently going on between National Theatre and Mile 2.
The contract was awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC).
The blue line when completed would operate over a secure and exclusive right of way with no level crossings and no uncontrolled access by pedestrians or vehicles.
LAMATA in their explanation on the project said the Blue Line Rail Project would use Electric Multiple Units (EMU) trains. This category of trains is emissions free and therefore do not pose any problem to the environment.
The Blue line initially will carry 400,000 passengers daily with capacity increased to 700,000 passengers daily when it becomes fully operational.
To incorporate the use of EMUs, a depot including power generating plants been proposed for construction at the final western most station, Okokomaiko. The depot will serve as train maintenance and repair yard, sidings, final train destination, office complex and power station.