Press Releases

Third Mainland Bridge To Be Closed To Traffic For 24 Hours Between Saturday And Sunday

Sep 12, 2008 - Lagos State Government on Friday announced that the Third Mainland Bridge would be totally closed to traffic between 12 midnight on Saturday (September 13) and 12 midnight on Sunday (September 14) to enable the contractor handling the project cast the two remaining joints as part of the on going repair works.

According to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr Kayode Opeifa who briefed the press along with the Acting Controller of Works, Engineer Godwin Eke, the contractor stated that the casting and other engineering works will require zero vibration which has necessitated closing it for 24 hours.

While describing the level of cooperation offered by the people of Lagos and the collaboration of security agencies since the beginning of the diversion as unprecedented, Mr. Opeifa said just as it happened two weeks ago, the two remaining joints on the bridge are due for casting between Saturday and Sunday.

The Special Adviser added that during the period of the total closure all vehicles going to the mainland from Lagos would be diverted at Adeniji Adele to join Carter Bridge to continue their journey while vehicles coming to the mainland from Lagos would be diverted at Adekunle junction to Ebute- Metta through Oyingbo.

He explained that from the Adekunle exit to Adeniji Adele there would be no form of vehicular movement during the 24 hours shut down.

Mr Godwin Eke, the Acting Federal Controller of Works from the Federal Ministry of Works said the consultant on the project (Messrs Borini Prono) are making use of the latest technology of hydro demolition and using quick setting cement which is quick fixing.

He assured that these represents the last major repair work on the bridge which is progressing according to schedule.

While assuring Lagosians that barring all unforeseen circumstances in the weather, the bridge would be opened to public use by end of September as originally scheduled, Engineer Eke informed that what would remain after the completion of repairs would be routine maintenance on a yearly basis.

“After casting, we will do some welding works where the expansion rubbers would seat. This will be followed with the replacement of the deck with asphalt,’’ he added.

Responding to a question on the continued encroachment on the Bus Transit Transit Lane, Mr Opeifa informed that over 60 vehicles have been contravened for violating the BRT Lane through a new devise installed to monitor traffic violators.

He also informed that some of the uniformed men who ply the BRT lane are armed men who often inflicted bodily harm on officials of LASTMA hence the deployment of technology in apprehending them.

He disclosed that the vehicles were not fined while committing the offence but their number plates were recorded by the devices installed along the route, adding that such vehicles and the identities of their owners would soon be displayed for the public.

Opeifa warned motorists especially members of the diplomatic corps to desist from passing through the BRT lane, informing that Ikorodu road had been fully illuminated.

In his comment, the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Governor, Mr Hakeem Bello appealed to the media to help partner and enlighten the public on the need to understand that certain projects have to be embarked upon for the good of the society, which is what the repairs of the Third Mainland Bridge represents.