The Governor of Lagos State, Governor Sanwo-Olu is calling for patience from Lagosians on the planned Third Mainland Bridge closure. He said there should not be undue worries, as measures have been put in place for easy vehicular movement during the partial closure.
The Third Mainland Bridge closure is going to be a partial one, the Governor said, saying that the repairs are to prevent any disaster that may result from the total collapse of the Bridge.
He said:
“I want to allay concerns we might have regarding the partial closure of the Third Mainland Bridge which will begin tomorrow evening.
The closure is necessary to prevent any disaster that may result from the total collapse of the infrastructure.
I want to appeal to residents to exercise patience during this period as LASTMA officers will constantly be on the road to ensure easy vehicular movement,” he said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu continued by adding that:
“The traffic disruption is about 25% of the regular traffic on the bridge so there should be no undue worries.
We have provided details of alternative routes so that residents can move to and from their places of work easily.
During the closure, a lane of the bridge will be open for vehicles driving inward Lagos Island in the morning and the reverse will be done in the evening.
We are deploying over 650 LASTMA officers on the roads to control traffic.
We also urge commuters to explore the option of our waterways. The jetty built in Ilaje area of Bariga has been activated and we are increasing the capacity of our ferry services.
We remain committed to improving transportation in Lagos State. Ensuring Lagos has an efficiently run intermodal transportation system is an important component of our deliverables.
Please do work with us as we work to achieve this,” he added.
The statement by the Governor on the Third Mainland Bridge closure and repairs comes a few days after the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Works announced that the Bridge will be shut down for repairs.
Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, said the maintenance of the Third Mainland Bridge was to replace damaged components for better motoring experience.
According to him, the maintenance work will last from July 2020 to January 2021.
The announcement which was made on Tuesday 21st July 2020, comes a few weeks after the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr Olukayode Popoola, said consultations were on for another phase of repair works to begin on the Third Mainland Bridge.
Mr Popoola as we reported, speaking to reporters, said that the consultations were towards evolving perfect traffic management architecture.
“We want to do maintenance work on the Third Mainland Bridge very soon. Most likely on the 24th. We may close it from the 24th of July.
“We are still working out the modalities and when we perfect the traffic management plan we will move to site.
“Everything being expected for the repairs of the bridge arrived the country that is why we want to start the repairs now,’’ he had said.
The Third Mainland Bridge which has gone through a series of rehabilitation works was last shut in August 2018 for a three days investigative maintenance check.