The Federal Government has reiterated its plans to close the Third Mainland Bridge on Friday, 24th February by 12:00 midnight.
Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola gave the update Tuesday, 21st July in Abuja. He enjoined motorists Lagos to be patient with the repairs as it is in the interest of everyone.
According to him, the repairs will be carried out on the damaged parts on a length of 3.5km out of the 11.8km length of the bridge.
According to Fashola, the Third Mainland Bridge repairs will no doubt lead to difficult motoring and hardship. He however, stated that there is no other way of effecting the repairs than shutting down the entire stretch.
The bridge has endued decades of the heaviest traffic in the state and it is only expected that routine maintenance be carried out to avert avoidable fatalities.
He added that the it is better to endure six months of work and hardship than to allow the bridge to collapse completely.
Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, last week announced that alternative routes have been mapped out to reduce commuters’ difficulties.
In his statement, Oladeinde said that:
“We advise motorists heading towards Ikeja and Ikorodu Road from Osborne Road, Ikoyi in the morning to make use of Carter Bridge to access Eko Bridge through Ijora Olopa.
“This will lead them through Williams Avenue to Doman Long Bridge to Ikorodu or to use the Carter bridge to Iddo through Oyingbo to Herbert Marcaulay to Jibowu and Link Ikorodu Road.
Oladeinde added that “we advise motorists coming from Victoria Island to utilise Ozumba Mbadiwe Road to Falomo Bridge through Alfred Rewane to Old Kingsway Road, Osborne to Ilubirin and Carter Bridge.”
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3rd Mainland Bridge to Close for Repairs