The long-troubled #LagosBadagryExpressway one of Lagos State’s most strategic transport corridors, is showing renewed signs of transformation, raising cautious optimism among commuters, traders and residents along the axis.

A recent on-site visit by urban observer and content creator Emmanuel Bernard, who documented the ongoing works in a YouTube video, reveals visible construction activity across several sections of the road—an encouraging development for a route that has, for decades, symbolised traffic congestion and infrastructural neglect.

The Badagry Expressway serves as a critical gateway linking Lagos to communities such as Olorunda, Muwo, Fagba, Okokomaiko and Badagry, while also providing access to border towns and international trade routes. Its importance extends beyond local mobility, playing a key role in regional commerce and cross-border transportation.

For years, however, the road has been plagued by gridlock, frequent vehicle breakdowns and prolonged travel times. Repeated starts and stops in reconstruction efforts had fuelled public scepticism, leaving many road users doubtful about the project’s eventual completion.

During his inspection, Bernard observed active road widening, with concrete and asphalt layers already taking shape in several areas. In some sections, what appear to be dedicated traffic lanes are emerging, suggesting plans for a more organised and efficient traffic flow when the project is completed.

Equally significant is the visible drainage construction, a long-overdue intervention on a corridor historically affected by flooding. Proper drainage, experts note, could improve the road’s durability, reduce water damage and lower long-term maintenance costs.

Construction equipment and workers were seen operating across multiple sections of the expressway, an indication that the project is currently progressing rather than abandoned. However, the present reality for road users remains challenging. Traffic movement is still slow, particularly during peak hours, as commercial vehicles, buses, trailers and pedestrians compete for limited road space.

Residents along the corridor have been forced to adjust their routines, leaving home earlier and exercising patience amid ongoing disruptions. While frustrating, analysts say such inconveniences are often unavoidable during large-scale infrastructure upgrades.

Looking ahead, the potential benefits of a completed Badagry Expressway are considerable. Improved road access could boost trade, reduce transportation costs, attract new businesses and stimulate economic activity along the corridor. Property values may also rise as connectivity improves, while transport operators could benefit from reduced fuel consumption and vehicle wear.

The project also aligns with Lagos State’s broader push towards modern urban transport infrastructure. A fully rehabilitated Badagry Expressway could support future developments such as mass transit systems, logistics hubs and enhanced cross-border trade operations.

Still, observers caution that the ultimate success of the project will depend on quality delivery, timely completion and sustained maintenance. Lagos residents, having witnessed stalled projects in the past, remain watchful.

In his concluding remarks, Bernard described the expressway as “slowly transitioning from chaos to structure,” adding that if the current momentum is sustained, the road could become one of the most significant infrastructure upgrades in Lagos in recent years.

For now, patience remains the watchword. But for communities along the Badagry axis, the visible progress offers a rare sense of hope that a long-awaited transformation may finally be within reach.