My main questions/concerns about the project are:

1) Will the project be completed before Fashola leaves office? We know that in Nigeria, projects that are not completed before the end of an administration's tenure might be abandoned or get bogged down by endless inquiries and investigations.

Julius Berger has done a great job expanding the road (their speed and quality has impressed me much more than Hitech's work on the Lekki Expressway), but it seems that CCECC has just woken up. The rail project has not kept up the pace with the road project.

It's important that they complete the Blue Line before 2015 because it will serve as an advertisement for the other lines and subsequent governments and investors will be motivated to invest in and complete the other projects.



2) The Green Line will run from Marina, through Victoria Island to Lekki Airport - where will they find the space on V/I?

3) I've heard rumours, from people who live along Badagry Expressway, that there will be two toll gates along the road; one at Orile and the other just before Badagry. The government should address those rumours.

Like they say, knowledge is power I never knew we had rail police officers, and so much was also being done to help the security of those that ply the routes, I guess they would need more publicity maybe one of these days I would purposely look for any place to go to, purposely with an intent of plying the rail I just hope it can rival and actually knock the road routes thanks naptu like I said thou its just my voice imagine you driving along the high way and a train is towering above you, at top speed imagine what could happen if their was a small derail as a result of reasons unforeseen just imagining O! But considering the development its very welcome that we are setting the pace.

Good work, I hope they get completed on time.

Brilliant

In 2009 Governor Fashola stated that the Lagos Rail project was one of the reasons for sanitising Oshodi. I do not know, but I suspect that one of the reasons for demolishing the Yaba rail line market is to make way for the Yaba rail station.

Below is an overview of the project from Wikipedia.


Lagos Light Rail is a light rail system being developed in Lagos, Nigeria. The system is being sponsored by the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and is envisioned to consist eventually of seven lines.[1] The railway equipment including electric power, signalling, rolling stock, and fare collection equipment will be provided by the private sector under a Concession Contract. LAMATA is responsible for policy direction, regulation, and infrastructure for the network.[2] The concessionaire will generate its own dedicated electricity.[3]

History

The idea of developing rapid transit in Lagos dates from the 1980s with the Lagos Metroline network conceived by the Alhaji Lateef Jakande during the Nigerian Second Republic.[4] The initial Metroline project was scrapped in 1985 by Muhammadu Buhari at a loss of over $78 million to the Lagos tax payers.[5] The idea of developing a light rail network for Lagos was revived by Governor Bola Tinubu in the early 2000s with a formal announcement of its construction in December 2003.[6] This initial $135 million proposal was part of the greater Lagos Urban Transportation Project to be implemented by the newly formed Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA).[6] LAMATA initially concentrated on developing a Bus Rapid Transit system, running from Mile 12 to Lagos Island. In 2008, LAMATA began also to make progress with the rail project, focussing initially on the Blue Line and the Red Line.

In September 2011, LAMATA announced that it would be acquring its older H5 and H6 subway cars from the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC), a public transit operator based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, (as their transit operator is acquring its new articulated six-car fixed Toronto Rocket subway cars to replace the older cars) for its fleet of subway cars that would operate on the Blue and Red lines. [7]

Okokomaiko-Marina Blue Line

In April 2008, the Lagos State Government approved ₦ 70 billion for construction of the Okokomaiko-Iddo-Marina Line, with an estimated completion date of 2011.[2] Advisory services are being provided by CPCS Transcom Limited, an Infrastructure Development consulting firm based in Ottawa, Canada. Construction actually commenced in January 2010, and completion is now expected in 2015. The Blue Line is now being built by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation. The Blue Line will run 27.5 km from Marina to Okokomaiko, with 13 stations. End-to-end journey time will be approximately 35 minutes. It is being built as a high capacity, electrically powered rail mass transit system. 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 underway between National Theatre and Mile 2.,A Maintenance and Storage Facility (MSF) will be constructed at Okokomaiko, with a track connection from the Blue Line to the depot. The entire Blue Line will operate over a secure and exclusive right-of-way, with no level crossings and no uncontrolled access by pedestrians or vehicles. Lagos State is financing construction of the Blue Line from its own resources. A concession contract is being awarded to finance, supply and operate the railway equipment, including electric power, signalling, trains, and fare collection.

Proposed Blue Line Stations

Marina (shared with Red Line)

Ebute Ero (shared with Red Line)

Iddo (shared with Red Line)

National Theatre

Iganmu

Alaba

Mile 2

Festac

Alakija

Trade Fair

Volkswagen

LASU

Okokonaiko

Agbado-Marina Red Line

The second line, the Red Line, will run from Marina to Agbado. The line will share the existing 30 metre wide Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) right-of-way.[1]

Proposed Red Line stations

Marina (shared with Blue Line)

Ebute Ero (shared with Blue Line)

Iddo (shared with Blue Line)

Ebute Metta

Yaba

Jibouw

Mushin

Oshodi

Shogunie

Ikeja

Agege

Iju

Agbado

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lagos_Light_Rail

I'm not sure when I'll be in that area again, but I've been able to get some pictures of the work that's going on there.

Lagos to complete light-rail project in 2012

Governor Fashola disclosed that 90 percent of the structural work on the project had already been completed

Commuters in Lagos will soon heave a sigh of relief as the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola, revealed that the first eight kilometres of the blue line light-rail project will be completed sometime next year.

The Governor, who disclosed this during an on-the-spot assessment of the first phase of the project in Orile, Alaba and Mile 2 Rail stations, said the state was working hard to deliver the project on time.

He expressed optimism that the state would deliver on the project within the stipulated time, adding that 90 percent of the structural work on the project had already been completed.

He however pointed out that the completion of the project is subject to the availability of funds.

Fashola, who was accompanied by the Commissioner for Housing and Works and Physical Planning, was taken round the project by the Deputy Managing Director of Chinese Civil Engineering and Construction Company (CCECC), Shi Hongbing.

He said he was happy that the execution of the project had provided job opportunities for hundreds of youths and would enable them cater for their needs.

Fashola also visited an uncompleted housing scheme at the French village in Badagry, and promised that the state government would ensure the completion of the project soon.

He also used the opportunity to clamp down on scores of motorcycle operators, popularly known as Okada riders, who plied one way along the Badagry Expressway.

Speaking on the menace of Okada riders in the state, the Governor insisted that operators must comply with the state regulation or leave the state.

By Godwin Akanfe via Daily Times Nigeria

http://www.businessdayonline.com/NG/index.php/city-file/city-file/32046-relief-underway-as-lagos-blue-line-rail-still-on-course-

The picture was taken in January 2012.

Relief underway as Lagos blue-line rail still on course

.

Friday, 20 January 2012 00:00 Joshua Bassey & Ifeoma Ikeji

.

…Project to generate 8,000 jobs on completion

Ongoing construction work on the Blue-line rail track at Orile-Iganmu, Lagos. Pic by Ifeoma Ikeji

.

For the over 15 million residents of Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial centre, expectation from the ongoing Blue-Line Rail Project on the Lagos-Badagry Express Road is to say the least, very high.

This is understandably so, given the relief the project on completion is expected to deliver to the mass of residents who daily commute on Okokomaiko-Mile 2, Alaba-Orile- National Arts Theater- CMS- Marina route.

The Blue-Line project is a 27-kilometre rail route from Okokomaiko to Marina being developed in phases, with Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) as supervisor, and Construction and Civil Engineering Corporation of China (CCECC) as contractors.

It is estimated that an average of 400,000 passengers would be lifted daily by the train which would run from Okokomaiko in Ojo Local Government Area of the state to Marina on Lagos Island with stops-over at Mile 2, Alaba, Orile-Iganmu and National Arts Theatre in a journey that will be faster, safer, reliable and efficient. It is designed to have a total of 12 stations. Currently receiving attention is the first phase of seven kilometres from Orile-Iganmu to Okokomaiko with about five stations

The project is coming with an added advantage of a reduced fare compared to what is currently being charged by unregulated commercial bus operators on that route. Beyond this, the rail line is equally conceived to encourage the use of public transport as a lot of vehicles would be taken off the road in what is expected to reduce the present level of emissions in the densely populated commercial city.


Interestingly, it is not only the commuters who are earnestly looking forward to the completion of the project. Thousands of unemployed youths would take their fair share from the commencement of operation of the scheme, as it is hoped over 8,000 job opportunities would be delivered to skilled and unskilled labour some of whom currently roam the streets of Lagos in frustration.

CityFile checks on Wednesday showed a steady progress of work on the track bridge at Orile-Iganmu end of Lagos-Badagry Express Road, which is simultaneously undergoing expansion from previous four lanes to 10.  Also, while construction works on the stop-over stations at Mile 2 and Alaba are reaching appreciable levels, that of Orile-Iganmu has almost been completed.

A source at the Lagos Ministry of Works and Infrastructure told CityFile that government was optimistic that the project would be delivered last quarter of 2012 or first quarter of 2013 if the contractor keeps the pace of work at the ongoing level.

At the recent inspection of the project, Babatunde Fashola, Lagos State governor, said it has moved from being a vision to a dream and is finally becoming a reality.

With the concrete pillars, the track bridge taking shape at Iganmu and other infrastructure being put in place by the contractor, Fashola is hopeful that the multi-billion naira project would be achieved.

Fashola, who was conducted round the project by Dayo Mobereola, managing director of the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA), said the concrete pillars being set up at Iganmu would hold the rail bed that will link the rail line to Iddo on its way to Okokomaiko. He added that with the completion of the first seven kilometres of the rail line, five stations would also have been completed, and in line with the terms of the contract, the concessionaires would be supplying the coaches for full operation.

“We have moved from vision to dreams and to reality. The project has taken off; the baby has been born, it is left for us to nurture it to adulthood. This is going to be the most impactful project this state has ever had. You can only imagine the number of people that will be employed, both directly and indirectly, when the project is finished. It will reduce travel time and all the stress associated with traffic will be removed. Lagosians will travel in comfort,” he said.

Shi Hongbing, deputy managing director of CCECC and project manager, said the pre-castings for the rail bridge have reached 80 percent completion, assuring that before 2012, the company would complete the rail from Mile 2 to the National Theatre.

Lekan Agboola, a vulcanizer at Orile, said government meant well by the project as it will help to combat the notorious traffic congestion in the state as well as reduce the cost of commuting.

Agboola is happy with the current pace of work in the area and believes that it may be completed in six months time.

Remi Ayegbokiki, a trader at the Orile Iron Market which was demolished due to the light rail project, lauded the state government for the project and also commended the commitment of the contractor.

Ayegbokiki, however, regretted their displacement from the market to a location that is very far from the metropolis which has adversely their business.

“This project, however, affected us so much because our market was demolished and we were relocated to somewhere along Badagry Road which is very far away from the metropolis. We spend over N10, 000 to transport one ton of steel from there to the urban area which is not good to the business. So, what we do is hang around here and wait for our customers. If government can provide another site that is closer to this place, it will be better for us,” he appealed.

http://streetoflagos.com/2011/11/28/lagos-to-complete-light-rail-project-in-2012/

Picture taken in November 2011

naptu2: Relief underway as Lagos blue-line rail still on course

.

Friday, 20 January 2012 00:00 Joshua Bassey & Ifeoma Ikeji

.

…Project to generate 8,000 jobs on completion

Ongoing construction work on the Blue-line rail track at Orile-Iganmu, Lagos. Pic by Ifeoma Ikeji

.

For the over 15 million residents of Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial centre, expectation from the ongoing Blue-Line Rail Project on the Lagos-Badagry Express Road is to say the least, very high.

This is understandably so, given the relief the project on completion is expected to deliver to the mass of residents who daily commute on Okokomaiko-Mile 2, Alaba-Orile- National Arts Theater- CMS- Marina route.

The Blue-Line project is a 27-kilometre rail route from Okokomaiko to Marina being developed in phases, with Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) as supervisor, and Construction and Civil Engineering Corporation of China (CCECC) as contractors.

It is estimated that an average of 400,000 passengers would be lifted daily by the train which would run from Okokomaiko in Ojo Local Government Area of the state to Marina on Lagos Island with stops-over at Mile 2, Alaba, Orile-Iganmu and National Arts Theatre in a journey that will be faster, safer, reliable and efficient. It is designed to have a total of 12 stations. Currently receiving attention is the first phase of seven kilometres from Orile-Iganmu to Okokomaiko with about five stations

The project is coming with an added advantage of a reduced fare compared to what is currently being charged by unregulated commercial bus operators on that route. Beyond this, the rail line is equally conceived to encourage the use of public transport as a lot of vehicles would be taken off the road in what is expected to reduce the present level of emissions in the densely populated commercial city.


Interestingly, it is not only the commuters who are earnestly looking forward to the completion of the project. Thousands of unemployed youths would take their fair share from the commencement of operation of the scheme, as it is hoped over 8,000 job opportunities would be delivered to skilled and unskilled labour some of whom currently roam the streets of Lagos in frustration.

CityFile checks on Wednesday showed a steady progress of work on the track bridge at Orile-Iganmu end of Lagos-Badagry Express Road, which is simultaneously undergoing expansion from previous four lanes to 10.  Also, while construction works on the stop-over stations at Mile 2 and Alaba are reaching appreciable levels, that of Orile-Iganmu has almost been completed.

A source at the Lagos Ministry of Works and Infrastructure told CityFile that government was optimistic that the project would be delivered last quarter of 2012 or first quarter of 2013 if the contractor keeps the pace of work at the ongoing level.

At the recent inspection of the project, Babatunde Fashola, Lagos State governor, said it has moved from being a vision to a dream and is finally becoming a reality.

With the concrete pillars, the track bridge taking shape at Iganmu and other infrastructure being put in place by the contractor, Fashola is hopeful that the multi-billion naira project would be achieved.

Fashola, who was conducted round the project by Dayo Mobereola, managing director of the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Authority (LAMATA), said the concrete pillars being set up at Iganmu would hold the rail bed that will link the rail line to Iddo on its way to Okokomaiko. He added that with the completion of the first seven kilometres of the rail line, five stations would also have been completed, and in line with the terms of the contract, the concessionaires would be supplying the coaches for full operation.

“We have moved from vision to dreams and to reality. The project has taken off; the baby has been born, it is left for us to nurture it to adulthood. This is going to be the most impactful project this state has ever had. You can only imagine the number of people that will be employed, both directly and indirectly, when the project is finished. It will reduce travel time and all the stress associated with traffic will be removed. Lagosians will travel in comfort,” he said.

Shi Hongbing, deputy managing director of CCECC and project manager, said the pre-castings for the rail bridge have reached 80 percent completion, assuring that before 2012, the company would complete the rail from Mile 2 to the National Theatre.

Lekan Agboola, a vulcanizer at Orile, said government meant well by the project as it will help to combat the notorious traffic congestion in the state as well as reduce the cost of commuting.

Agboola is happy with the current pace of work in the area and believes that it may be completed in six months time.

Remi Ayegbokiki, a trader at the Orile Iron Market which was demolished due to the light rail project, lauded the state government for the project and also commended the commitment of the contractor.

Ayegbokiki, however, regretted their displacement from the market to a location that is very far from the metropolis which has adversely their business.

“This project, however, affected us so much because our market was demolished and we were relocated to somewhere along Badagry Road which is very far away from the metropolis. We spend over N10, 000 to transport one ton of steel from there to the urban area which is not good to the business. So, what we do is hang around here and wait for our customers. If government can provide another site that is closer to this place, it will be better for us,” he appealed.

http://streetoflagos.com/2011/11/28/lagos-to-complete-light-rail-project-in-2012/

Picture taken in November 2011

Theirs something similar to this overhead rail lines an artistic tourist attraction, just in some specific areas of abuja mehn my lagos, our lagos this is beautiful the rail lines which would be passing through ikorodu road western avenue axis I hope the structural design wouldn't affect building, for right of way coz ha, it go affect me indirectly O, a family structure somewhere (when u said elevation the first time I felt it was just them (CCECC), elevating it like 6-9ft above ground level but with this mehn except they legalize suicide u already now you are dead when u sit on top of the carriage. This is the bomb

You see why the world is saying that virtually all true Muslims are terrorist/Jihadist? Otherwise how on earth ll you explain this?
Infact they ve completely gone haywire; in that they no longer know what appeals to sanity again.
Who are they expecting to belief this kind of cock and bull stories they are cooking as effort to divert attention?
It is not too late fellow Nigerians; any thing that is bent on destroying us does not deserve us even if they call it religion, Islam or whatever.
Can't you see that these Arabs have deceived you enough? They make it compulsory for you to go to their land atleast once in life time and that the more you go the more your blessing. Why not ask question; could this be b/c of the material gain (money)?
Take a look at the case of this my neighbor! He is a nail cutter by profession, he has four wives presently. He has divorced 2 after having 12 issues with each of them. The older children are either into selling date palm, shoe shining or cutting nails and the younger ones are almajiris; of course western education is forbidden!
When President Goodluck announced that minimum wage will be increased to twenty thousand Naira my co-workers with three wives top it up to four-four and guess their number of children!
Fedral Government is trying to pull people out but they are willingly sinking into poverty.
Look at Muslim countries; they have all it takes in terms of natural resources. How many of them are counted among developed nations?
If anyone say to you I will give you shirt, look at what he has on and see whether he has enough to spare you one). Same goes for peace; if any religion promises us peace let's look at its history. God is no respecter of lies.

newdawn1: You see why the world is saying that virtually all true Muslims are terrorist/Jihadist? Otherwise how on earth ll you explain this?
Infact they ve completely gone haywire; in that they no longer know what appeals to sanity again.
Who are they expecting to belief this kind of cock and bull stories they are cooking as effort to divert attention?
It is not too late fellow Nigerians; any thing that is bent on destroying us does not deserve us even if they call it religion, Islam or whatever.
Can't you see that these Arabs have deceived you enough? They make it compulsory for you to go to their land atleast once in life time and that the more you go the more your blessing. Why not ask question; could this be b/c of the material gain (money)?
Take a look at the case of this my neighbor! He is a nail cutter by profession, he has four wives presently. He has divorced 2 after having 12 issues with each of them. The older children are either into selling date palm, shoe shining or cutting nails and the younger ones are almajiris; of course western education is forbidden!
When President Goodluck announced that minimum wage will be increased to twenty thousand Naira my co-workers with three wives top it up to four-four and guess their number of children!
Fedral Government is trying to pull people out but they are willingly sinking into poverty.
Look at Muslim countries; they have all it takes in terms of natural resources. How many of them are counted among developed nations?
If anyone say to you I will give you shirt, look at what he has on and see whether he has enough to spare you one). Same goes for peace; if any religion promises us peace let's look at its history. God is no respecter of lies.

If I may ask what the heck has this got to do with railway lines and the blue metroline project the possible rate of employment creation, we know some religions are judged based on what their antecedents so, and we also know they are actually the bane of misinformation, so. You have come to derail a thread which seeks to educate and inform into a religious fighting ground carry ur wahala O! Back to religion section egbon 190! Cancar worm

At last! I've found the station maps that I was looking for.

Recently I stumbled on historical pictures that led me to believe that rail services ran on Lagos Island. I saw a picture of the bridge between Onikan and Victoria Island and there were tracks on it!

I did some research and found out about the Lagos Steam Tramway

On The History of Nigeria Railways - The Lagos Steam Tramway 1902 - 1913

In 1895 the Lagos Government Railway began to force its way from Iddo, on the mainland, to Ibadan, and was opened six years later on March 4, 1901. Carter Bridge was completed the same year, construction having commenced in 1896, to connect Lagos with the mainland. Because of the mistake of terminating the railway at Iddo, Lagos, the administrative capital and port of the Colony of Nigeria, was without any public (or indeed, at that time, wheeled) transport to connect it with the railhead.

That this had been in the minds of the Administration is evidenced by mention of a tramway in the Colonial Report for 1899. By 1901 it had been decided to build a 2ft. 6in.-gauge line over Carter Bridge and construction commenced. The opening of the Lagos Steam Tramway took place on May 23, 1902.

The original line ran north-west along the waterfront, from a point near Government House and the European residential area around the Race course, to Customs Wharf, where it turned north-east towards Ereko Market and Idumata. A 95ft,-radius curve took the line north-westwards again, through Ebute Ero and over Carter bridge to the railway station at Iddo.

There was a run-in outside the station building, a short siding to the parcels office, sidings to the goods transit shed, five roads into the engine and car sheds and a run-round which encircled these sheds. The track was single, with seven passing loops en route. At the Post Office there was a double junction incorporated with the passing loop, connection to the Public Works Department stores, and a straight run-through from the PWD wharf to the generating station for direct coal transfer. At Kokomaiko, the terminus, there was a run-round siding, a 20ft.-diameter turntable, and a water tank.

The sleeping track was of 2ft. 6in. gauge with a route mileage of 2 miles 58 chains, partly laid on (not in) the streets and partly on roadside reservations. The running time was 21 minutes, giving an average speed of 7 ¾ mph. Fares were 3d. “all the way”, PWD to Iddo 2d., and Ereko Market to Iddo, 1d. The headway was 45 min., later improved to 30 min., with the first tram at 6.30 hr. to connect with the 7.00 hr. mainline train from Iddo to Ibadan. There was no running after dark (this timed the last tram at about 19.00 hr.) Freight services were operated 0 it was, in fact, the only link at this time between Customs Wharf for moving imports up-country and for evacuating produce from railhead to lighter. The tramway was operated by the Lagos Government Railway.

Rolling stock consisted of ten passenger trailers with longitudinal back-to-back seats, built by the Ashbury Railway Carriage & Wagon Company, of Manchester. They were 19ft. long by 7ft. 2in. wide, double ended and fitted with tramcar-type hand brakes. The bodies were constructed from tubes, with open sides and canvas screens for wet weather. The cars were four-wheeled, the axle-boxes being provided with coil springs. There were about 20 un-braked goods wagon, each 12 ft. long and 5ft. 6in. wide, all made by the same company.

Motive power was originally provided by three locomotives of a type unique among street tramway engines. They were designed by the Crown Agents for the Colonies and manufactured by the Hunslet Engine Co. Ltd., of Leeds, bearing maker’s Nos. 751-3, and LGR Nos. 101-3. Delivery was made in September 1901.

 

 

(Map) - Route of the Lagos Tramway

 

A curious design

I will skip this for the sake of brevity and for its technicalities.

Box-car mystery

When writing the book “Lagos Steam Tramway”, extensive inquiries were made as to why these locomotives were designed in the form of an articulated combination vehicle. No solution could be obtained from the Crown Agents, the makers, the Nigerian Railway, or from aged Africans (Nigerians). Flexibility is one factor (the sharpest curve was 80ft. radius) but a conventional four-wheeled tram engine would have satisfied this requirement. A more important aspect was the 5-ton weight limit imposed over the Carter Bridge. The additional bogie enabled the locomotive to comply with this but it does not explain the box-car at the rear.

One purpose of this, we are led to believe, was the conveyance of His Excellency the Governor and other senior Europeans. There is no evidence that the box-car was used in general service and, while passenger cars were used by the African population, it would not have been deemed suitable at the time for senior Europeans to travel with the general public! Fixed to the rear bulkhead was shelving, which suggests that another use was the carrying of coinage and valuables between the Treasury, Iddo Station and the wharf, in conditions of security. More certain is the transfer of mail and parcels from Customs Wharf and the GPO to Iddo. This is borne out by the short siding which was provided near the parcels office – just long about enough to accommodate the Hunslet articulated engine.

The design must have served its purpose because a repeat order for a further two such engines was placed and they were delivered in Lagos in 1910, becoming LGR Nos. 104 and 105, works numbers 1016 and 1017. Identical in design, except for improvements to the motion and two 45-gal. tanks instead of 30 gal. ones, they cost £718 each f.o.b. Liverpool! It should be noted that it was not practicable to run these locomotives in reverse service, and this accounts for the turning circle at Iddo, the turntable at Kokomaiko, and the double junctions at the Public Works Department and the Post Office, where turning could be effected.

In spite of the success of the improved services and after much track laying and a deficit of only £248 in 1913, the Government took a very short-sighted view and decided to close down the passenger service, principally because the original rolling stock needed renewal. Closure was effected on January 1, 1914.

The Lagos Sanitary Tramway, built in 1906 (see The Railway Magazine, July 1964, page 581), which ran from Dejection Jetty to a junction with the Lagos Steam Tramway at Ereko Market, continued to operate over its mid-town route, via Strachan Street, Glover Street and Faji Market, until 1933. With its closure, the island of Lagos lost its only remaining railway.

(Culled from The Railway Magazine, February 1966)

Interesting, isn’t it, that Lagos, and indeed Nigeria, actually had a tramway system as far back as the earlier part of the last century?

It is also interesting to know that apart from the Lagos Steam Tramway, 23 May 1902 - 31 Dec 1913,  the British also built the following:

Bauchi Light Railway, Zaria-Jos-Bukuru (229km), opened in sections 1912-1914, Jos-Bukuru (16km) widened to 1.067m in 1927, rest closed 30 Sep 1957. Several locos and coaches are preserved near the zoo at Jos.

Wushishi Tramway, Zungeru-Wushishi-Bari Juko (35km), opened in sections Dec 1901-1902, closed 1910

Lagos Sanitary Tramway 1906-30 June 1933. Extended to a wharf and was used to carry "nightsoil".

(Source: Durrant, A.E., A.A. Jorgensen, C.P. Lewis.” Steam in Africa”, London, 1981, Hamlyn)

Gone are those days. What was left for us by the British as a legacy of colonialism, we found it difficult to build on, not to talk of sustaining and improving it, contrary to such in other parts of the world. That is the way Nigeria has gone, to the dogs, ruled and managed by inept, corrupt, incompetent, selfish, indolent and clueless idiots since the British left.

I do hope you have found this historical journey interesting, intriguing, fascinating and reflective. I have. And there’s more on the Lagos Sanitary Tramway and others to come.

http://www.nigeriavillagesquare.com/articles/akintokunbo-a-adejumo/on-the-history-of-nigeria-railways-the-lagos-steam-tramway-1902-1913.html

Wonderful Thread and a great development

i love this thread to a fault cant stop lookin at it would take some pictures of the other locations within the FCT where the same abuja light rail project is on going it would surpise you that it has failed the only thing is its a project and projects are ongoing so it hasnt failed until it is scrapped.

naptu2

Great work here.

I'm still not clear on what exactly will be completed/commissioned in Q4 2012/Q1 2013. I recall some earlier articles stated that Phase 1 (7km) of the BLue of the line will be ready 2013, not the entire 27km length of the Blue Line.

Do you know whether this is right?

debosky: naptu2

Great work here.

I'm still not clear on what exactly will be completed/commissioned in Q4 2012/Q1 2013. I recall some earlier articles stated that Phase 1 (7km) of the BLue of the line will be ready 2013, not the entire 27km length of the Blue Line.

Do you know whether this is right?

I think that should be correct. I saw the commissioner on tv the other day saying that the first phase of the road expansion project is complete and they are moving ahead with phase 2. The last time I went there, they had expanded the road from Orile to Mile 2 (including the Mile 2 Bridge). I assume that'll be the first phase. They are presently clearing the right of way beyond the bridge.

So I suppose the first phase of the rail project is Orile to Mile 2. If that's the case I can see them completing that by Q1 2013. They've erected the bridge in the Orile area (as you can see from the pics) and were erecting the elevated stations at Orile, Mile 2, Alaba, etc, when I passed by. I don't believe they can complete the entire project by Q1 2013.

The Lagos state government is taking on gigantic projects the kleptocratic federal government can not phantom.

One of the things that makes me happy about the project is the cooperation between the Federal and State Governments. The Lagos-Badagry Expressway belongs to the Federal Government, as does the right of way for the Red Line (NRC).

The project initially suffered a setback in 2010 when the then minister of works, Hassan Lawal, declared that the Federal Government would stop the project.

http://thenationonlineng.net/web2/articles/35271/1/Who-is-afraid-of-the-highway-to-Badagry/Page1.html

http://thenationonlineng.net/web2/articles/35505/1/Akran-berates-minister-over-comment-on-LagosBadagry-road-/Page1.html


However, after Goodluck Jonathan reshuffled the Federal Cabinet, the new minister of works, Sanusi Daggash, declared that the problem had been resolved and that the Lagos State Government could continue with the project.

http://www.businessdayonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10568:fg-resolves-face-off-with-lagos-over-badagry-road-project-&catid=85:national&Itemid=340


A little over a week ago, the Minister of Trade and Investment declared that the Federal Government will hand over the right of way/tracks of more lines to Lagos State Government.

https://www.nairaland.com/921861/jonathan-cedes-tracks-lagos-light

Click on this link to see more pictures of the project (elevated stations, etc) https://www.nairaland.com/934481/update-10-lane-lagos-badagry-expressway-pictures/3#10794793

Lagos set to begin second light rail project https://www.nairaland.com/948119/lagos-set-begin-second-light#10932633

LASG should not lose focus - it is laudable that they want to progress both lines, but they will gain far more credibility if they finish what they've already started with the Blue Line.

Any talk of commencing work on the Red Line should not slow down work on the Blue Line.

Rail track construction commences today

https://www.nairaland.com/1154940/railtrack-construction-commencement-ceremony-lagos-bdgry

It's been a few years and I have just been wondering what is happening with the project so far? Abuja to kaduna- luxury train is in the kitty - but I would really love to know what's up with the lagos metroline?

More pictures completed tracks

More sights from the completed rail Ines

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