First Line On Nigeria’s Lagos Metro Opens
The first phase of Nigeria’s capital city Lagos Blue Line metro route was opened on December 21, the first metro line in West Africa. The line was constructed by China Civil Engineering (CCE) as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
The Lagos Rail Mass Transit is a rapid transit system being developed and under construction in Lagos State. The rail system is being managed by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA). Apart from the actual railway infrastructure, the equipment required includes electric power, signals, rolling stock, and fare collection machinery. That is being provided by the private sector under a concession contract. LAMATA is responsible for policy direction, regulation, and infrastructure for the network.
The 28km Blue Line runs from Marena, the commercial centre of Lagos, to the western Badagry area, with 11 stations and a design speed of 100km/h. The 13km first phase runs from Marena to Metu with five stations.
The opening ceremony at the Nigerian National Theatre station was attended by the governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanguru, the deputy governor, Mr Obafemi Hamzat, the Chinese consul general in Lagos, Mr Chu Maoming, the head of China Civil Engineering Nigeria and other state government officials.
The total CCE project includes the 557m long bridge over Lagos Lagoon, which is 80% over water. The bridge was constructed using rigid continuous girders, and took 18 months to build.
During the early stage of the project, China Civil Engineering used Matlab simulation technology for the first time which improved the accuracy of the final design.
Next up is the opening of the red line, scheduled at present for December this year. That will connect Marina to Agbado. The line will share the right-of-way of the Lagos–Kano Standard Gauge Railway. The Lagos State government purchased Talgo trainsets for use on the Red Line from Wisconsin, United States of America, where they were built and purchased for service between Milwaukee and Madison, but never used. Connected to that will be the airport red line, which runs from Ikeja to the MMIA International Airport Terminal.
Other proposed lines include the Brown line, from Mile 12 to Marina, the Orange line from Redeemed to Marina, the Purple line from Redeemed to Ojo, the green line from Marina and towards Epe, and the Yellow line from Otta to Iddo.
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