Third Mainland Bridge: FG, LASG set up Traffic Personnel to alternative routes

As the Federal Ministry of power, Works and Housing, in collaboration with the Lagos state government commences a 3-day investigative upkeep test at the third Mainland Bridge from midnight, August 22, the Lagos state government has assured residents of free drift of traffic, urging motorists and citizens to comply with all traffic policies and directional signs to alternative routes in the course of the period.

The state government additionally urged motorists to cooperate with traffic personnel deployed to strategic regions to ease flow of traffic and keep away from needless gridlock.

The third Mainland Bridge may be temporarily shut for three days beginning from midnight of August 23 to midnight of August 26, 2018 to permit for the test to be carried out before proper repairs in future.

The Lagos state Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Ade Akinsanya, who made the appeal, stated enough  personnel would be on ground to direct motorists as it should be including that plans have been concluded to lessen feasible heavy impact on road users within the state.

The three-day closure, according to Akinsanya, would permit the contractors determine the proper state of the bridge after which works could commence by the end of the year or early in 2019.

 “Besides, all traffic management agencies including the Federal road safety Corps, FRSC, Lagos state traffic management Authority, LASTMA, and the Police, amongst others, had been mandated to make sure smooth flow of traffic on all the other alternative roads and traffic corridor across the metropolis to ensure free flow of traffic,” he said.     

Akinsanya entreated motorists from Lagos Abeokuta, Agege, Ogba and Ikeja to make use of Oshodi thru Mushin Ojuelegba to connect Carter Bridge into Island, while the ones from Ikorodu, Maryland are to utilize Funsho Williams avenue, formerly, Western avenue thru Yaba to Oyinbo and connect Eko Bridge into Island.

Motorists from Okokomaiko, Festac, Oshodi-Apapa expressway are enjoined to ply thru Ajegunle via Marine Bridge to Ijora to connect Carter Bridge to Apongbon into Lagos Island. Conversely, motorists from the Island are expected to ply Eko Bridge and Carter Bridge into Mainland, whilst the ones in Lekki Ajah can also make use of Epe axis through Imota into Ikorodu.

Explaining the need for the closure, Akinsanya said: “The third Mainland Bridge which was opened about 30 years ago by the then military government has had haphazard upkeep and repairs in the past which the present Federal government is devoted to correct by carrying out proper and continuous preservation and upkeep on it.”

In addition, the Lagos state sector Commander of the Federal road safety Corps, FRSC, Mr. Hyginus Omeje, while appealing for understanding and cooperation from motorists and road users, stated the corps could install over 1,000 men with other various operational vehicles and motorbikes to provide help to motorists.