Marine Road risks collapse

* Cracks threaten lives, businesses, access to Liverpool corridor

Residents, motorists, workers and businesses along Marine Road, off Liverpool Road in Apapa, Lagos, have raised the alarm over what they described as an imminent disaster following the rapid deterioration of a major section of the road.

The road, which serves as a critical access route for residents, commercial vehicles and port users within the Apapa axis, has developed alarming cracks leaving large portions of the asphalt badly displaced and on the verge of complete collapse.

A visit to the area showed that the damaged section has become a disaster waiting to happen. Large cracks now run across the entire width of the carriageway, while parts of the road have sunk significantly, creating dangerous cavities capable of swallowing vehicles or unsuspecting pedestrians if urgent intervention is not carried out.

To prevent tragedy, concerned residents have resorted to using concrete traffic drums and caution tapes to cordon off the affected portions. However, despite these makeshift safety measures, the road remains a major threat to lives and property, particularly at night when visibility is poor.

The frightening state of the road has heightened fears among residents who believe that continued vehicular movement, especially by heavy-duty trucks and articulated vehicles that frequently ply the corridor, could trigger a total collapse at any moment.

Beyond posing a direct danger to motorists, the road has become a nightmare for residents, employees of companies operating within the area and visitors who rely on the route daily. Motorists now struggle to manoeuvre the damaged sections, while pedestrians are forced to navigate dangerously close to the collapsed edges.

Many fear that without immediate intervention, the road could cave in completely, cutting off access to several residential and commercial facilities and potentially leading to fatal accidents.

Residents expressed disappointment that despite the visible danger, no government agency has commenced emergency repairs or taken concrete steps to address the situation.

A commuter described the road as “a ticking time bomb,” warning that it would only take one heavily loaded truck or a period of intense rainfall for the entire section to give way.

The development has also raised concerns over possible disruption to commercial activities within the Apapa port environment should the road become impassable.

Marine Road is an important link within the Apapa metropolis, connecting residential neighbourhoods and business premises while also serving as an alternative route for vehicles accessing parts of the Liverpool axis. Its collapse would further compound the already challenging traffic situation in the port city.