By Adedapo Adesanya
The Iyana Oworonshoki- Adeniji Adele section of the Third Mainland Bridge will be closed for repairs by the federal government beginning from 11 am on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.
“The federal government through the Federal Ministry of Works wishes to inform the motoring public that the emergency repairs of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos will continue with the closure of Iyana Oworonshoki- Adeniji Adele bound for the effective repairs of the entire section of the bridge,” the Federal Controller of Works for Lagos, Mrs O. I. Kesha, said in a Thursday statement.
As a result, motorists have been advised to use alternative routes, including Ojota – Ikorodu road- Funsho Williams Avenue – EKO bridge-Apogbon-CMS; Ojota- Ikorodu road- Jibowu – Yaba- Oyingbo-Iddo- Carter bridge- CMS; and Gbagada- Anthony- Ikorodu road- Funsho Williams – Eko bridge- Apogbon – CMS, the statement added.
They have also been urged to cooperate with the traffic management officials deployed to manage traffic and ensure hitch-free movements to minimize discomfort during this repair period.
“While thanking the general public for their past cooperation & understanding, more is expected this time around,” the statement further stated.
The Third Mainland is Africa’s second-largest bridge, extending nearly 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) to link Lagos Island, the business heart of the city, with the mainland where most people live.
The bridge starts from Oworonshoki which is linked to the Apapa-Oshodi expressway and Lagos-Ibadan expressway, and ends at the Adeniji Adele Interchange on Lagos Island. The structure also has a link midway through the bridge that leads to Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba.
The bridge was built by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, with the first phase commissioned by President Shehu Shagari in 1980 and the last part completed 10 years later by former Nigeria’s Military President, Mr Ibrahim Babangida.
Aduragbemi Omiyale 
Modupe Gbadeyanka