The temporary closure of 11.8-kilometre Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos to allow investigative maintenance test on the infrastructure begins midnight of today (Thursday).
For this reason, the bridge would be closed to traffic on Friday 24, Saturday 25 and Sunday 26, August 2018.
According to the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr. Adedamola Kuti, investigative maintenance test on the bridge would commence between Friday and Sunday.
As such, he affirmed that effective from 12 midnight of Thursday August 23, the bridge would be closed to both pedestrians and motorists, while it would be reopened by12:00 midnight of August 26, 2018.
He, however, warned motorists, comprising commercial and private vehicle owners to make use of alternative routes provided during the three-day closure of the bridge to ensure free movement of traffic in Lagos metropolis.
On travel advisory on Third Mainland Bridge closure provided by the Lagos State Government through the State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), motorists were enjoined to make use of alternative routes, which included “Ikorodu – from Ketu-Ojota to Fadeyi, motorists are urged to go through Funsho Williams Avenue to Apongbon /CMS. “They can also make use of Jibowu / Murtala Mohammed Way to Oyingbo /Iddo / Carter Bridge.
“For motorists coming from Lagos /Abeokuta Expressway from toll gate to Oshodi, down to Mushin to link Funsho Williams. Also, motorists from Gbagada Expressway from Berger or Ketu -Ojota Bridge /Ogudu Expressway to Anthony can link Ikorodu Road and continue their journey as stated above.”
Kuti assured Lagosians that relevant security agents would ensure that things are in order.
He said:”This is the time we can carry out the exercise, because after September, traffic in Lagos will be difficult to manage, since end of the year festivities would continue.
“Besides, we want to assure Nigerians that we are working tirelessly to bring sanity to Apapa-Oshodi expressway. We will do everything possible to complete the work on schedule.”
It was gathered that contractors for the project would include Messrs Borini Prono of Italy.
Justifying needs for the investigative maintenance test and temporary closure of the bridge recently, Minister Of Power, Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, said the Federal Government was torn between maintenance, safety and people’s convenience, stating that the first three days would be for investigative work to be conducted to assess the current condition of the bridge.
He said there was a procurement for maintenance of the bridge that has been approved but that between that time and now, some things might have changed.
