Lagos plans strategy for Third Mainland Bridge repair

The Lagos State Government on Wednesday said it would ensure free flow of traffic during the repair of Third Mainland Bridge.

The repair is expected to commence on July 1 and end on November 6.

At a press conference, the Commissioners for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Obafemi Hamzat; Transport, Kayode Opeifa; and Information and Strategy, Adeyemi Ibirogba insisted that the bridge would not be closed.

They said the government had agreed to a diversion of traffic on the bridge.

Opeifa said diversion on the bridge would occur between 12am and 12pm.

He said, “Between 00:00am and 12 noon, traffic will be diverted for those coming from Lagos Island to the Mainland. At Adeniji Adele, motorists are expected to divert to Carter Bridge and thereafter proceed to Iddo where the redistribution will take place.

“Inward Lagos Island traffic diversion will commence from 12 noon from Anthony Oworonshoki interchange.

“Some roads that were not available in 2008, when a similar repair on the bridge took place will be useful. Agege motor road is one of such roads and it will play a big role in the interchange activity.

“Also, the new Traffic FM, 96.1, will keep residents up to date with information about traffic situation.”

Hamzat, who gave more insight into  the repair, appealed to residents for cooperation.

He said, “A bridge normally has expansion joint where it expands and contracts because of the weather.

“Eight joints that need repair  have been identified. Three of them are on the inward Island lane while the rest are on the outward lane.

 “When the bridge was constructed, it was designed as a county leaver.

“This means that there is a structure which two different structures hanging on it.

“The repair work that is about to be done on the joints is to straighten them to allow the joints to function properly.”

Ibirogba appealed to residents to be mindful of information on social network, adding that the government had put measures in place to keep residents informed about the repair.