Press Releases

Third Mainland Bridge Rehabilitation: Fashola Appeals To Lagosians, Assures Of Adequate Security

Jul 30, 2008 - As the commencement date of rehabilitation works on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State approaches, the State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Wednesday appealed to Lagosians for understanding assuring them of adequate security during the period.

The rehabilitation which will affect four expansion joints between Adekunle and Adeniji-Adele Junctions of the bridge is due to commence midnight Saturday August 2, 2008 and is expected to be completed at the end of September this year.

Governor Fashola, who spoke at a press conference at the Conference Room of his office Wednesday, said the understanding and tolerance of Lagosians were needed during the period in order to reduce the expected traffic congestion on the bridge.

The Governor, who reiterated that the Bridge would not be closed at any time during the rehabilitation period declared “it is only a diversion which is a normal happening in any part of the world where development is going on”, adding that if Lagosians would obey the simple traffic rules and regulation that would be put in place during the period there would be no significant change in the normal flow of traffic.

“If you do not have any business to do in Lagos during the hours between 12 midnight and 12 midday when traffic going into the Island is expected to be diverted, I suggest that you do not put your vehicle on the road, or if you can conduct your business by phone you will be helping to decongest the road”, he said.

He appealed to GSM companies to link up with the Commissioner for Transportation and also the Federal Controller of Works to set up a hotline to be managed by both of them which would enable them to review developments with members of the public to know where there are hitches and difficulties in traffic flow so that these could be corrected.

“It is only a plan and we are all human, there are things we may not see that can come up. The public through such hotlines, can call to ask questions or make suggestions during the period”, the Governor said adding that the hotline may be set up at the Radio Lagos or any other radio station and the GSM companies could interface with the station and share information which they could text to their subscribers periodically informing them of the traffic situation at different parts as their own contribution during the period

“They can tell their subscribers periodically, “avoid this route or take this route”, based on the information from the hotlines interface. These services already exist, we appeal to them to put it at the disposal of Lagosians, the Governor said.

Fashola assured that all the agencies concerned both with control of traffic and maintenance of law and order as well as security of life and property has been mobilized to ensure that Lagosians do not suffer unduly.

Explaining the need for the rehabilitation work, the Governor said the State Government swung into action in response of the alarm raised by Lagosians over noticeable vibrations on the bridge adding that although it was a Federal Government project, the State Government had to collaborate in the area of traffic management and control.

On the level of preparedness, Fashola said “I have sat at three meetings with all the stakeholders in this project, LASTMA, FERMA, LAGBUS The Police, the contractors and officials of the Federal Ministry of Works as well as the FRSC over this issue and I am confident that enough preparation has been made for the worst, we now expect the best”.

The Governor added, however, “But the understanding and tolerance of Lagosians is needed. Look for road signs, look for diversions and maintain discipline, as both the people managing the traffic and those using it will be under pressure”.

Commending the Minister of Transportation, Mrs. Dezzani Allison-Madueke, for her preparedness to work with the State Government on the project, Fashola assured that adequate security would be provided on alternative routes provided during the period.

Earlier, the Controller of Works for South West in the Federal Ministry of Transportation, Engineer Tunde Ekunsumi said during the period, all traffic going out of Lagos Island from 12 midnight to 12 noon were expected to use the alternative route from Idumagbo adding that from 12 noon to 11pm, there would be free flow of traffic on the bridge for vehicles leaving Lagos Island/Ikoyi.

The Controller said all the equipment needed for the work are already in place at the work yard of the contractors at Ijora adding that they were waiting for all the alternative routes to be worked out before deploying the equipment at the site.

He thanked the Lagos State Governor for his commitment to the project saying there was no way the work would have succeeded without the cooperation of the State Government.

Engineer Ekunsumi recalled that serious discussion were held at stakeholders meetings on traffic management and control as well as security adding that the meeting also involved some private sector organisations like EXXON/Mobil which, according to him, has volunteered to provide a helicopter to monitor traffic situation around Lagos during the period for the purpose of effective management and control.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation Professor Bamibele Badejo assured that everything has been put in place to ensure that Lagosians do not suffer undue stress during the period. He, however, appealed for discipline and understanding on the part of motorists.