Business Post Contributor
By Bliss Okperan
The Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos will be closed for two Sundays to allow for repairs on the bad portions of the facility, the Lagos State government has said.
The federal government is partnering with the state government to fix the bridge, which was built in 1990 by a former Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida.
As a result of the repairs, the bridge will be shut down, with traffic diverted to other routes, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Transportation in Lagos State.
These measures were due to recurring accidents caused by potholes and leaving the road bad and unsafe for its users.
The facility will be closed on September 17 and 24 between the hours of 7.00 am and 7.00 pm each Sunday for the remedial works to be carried out by the state government through the Lagos Public Works Corporation (LPWC) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works.
Motorists have continued to lament the terrible conditions of the bridge and the diversion of traffic during the work period of such repairs.
On Thursday, the Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Mr Abdulhafiz Toriola, said traffic would be diverted during the repairs to ensure swift completion.
“The proposed works will be strictly executed in two phases, with phase one focusing on only the most critical sections on the Iyana-Oworonsoki inward Adeniji Adele/Lagos Island,” he said.
The state government issued a travel advisory to ensure seamless movement of traffic.
Motorists from Lagos Mainland going through Herbert Macaulay Road (Adekunle axis) inwards Lagos Island via Third Mainland Bridge will be diverted towards Murtala Muhammed Way to make use of Carter Bridge to link Lagos Island. Toriola Advised.
Also, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Alapere/Ogudu axis, inwards Lagos Island, will be diverted towards Gbagada-Oshodi Expressway to link Ikorodu Road/Funsho Williams Avenue to access Eko Bridge and Lagos Island.
Mr Toriola informed motorists to take the necessary precautions and to follow the rules and regulations of the state, saying, “We assure you that despite the traffic impact on the alternative routes, LASTMA will be deployed to minimize inconveniences and ease movement along the affected corridors.”
“Various traffic agencies involved, in conjunction with other security and safety personnel to form good synergy, will ensure appropriate traffic management measures aimed at improving the safety and flow of traffic, reducing traffic emissions and utilising traffic artery capacity more effectively throughout the duration of the exercise,” he further stated.
The Permanent Secretary added that the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Police Force, and other traffic personnel would be on the ground to effectively control and manage traffic.
