Lagos, Nigeria’s economic capital will be shutting down Third Mainland Bridge, the longest bridge in West Africa for three days beginning from midnight of August 23 to midnight of August 26, 2018, to allow for the test to be carried out before proper repairs in future.
According to Vanguard, Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Ade Akinsanya, said adequate personnel would be on the ground to direct motorists appropriately adding that plans have been concluded to reduce the possible heavy impact on road users in the state.
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 maintenance and repairs in the past which the present Federal Government is committed to correct by carrying out proper and continuous maintenance and repairs on it.
The three-day closure, according to Akinsanya, would enable the contractors to assess the true state of the bridge after which works would commence by the end of the year or early in 2019.
Alternate Routes Pending The Reopening:
Alternative routes include the Ikorodu Road; Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway/Agege Motor Road, and the Gbagada Expressway.
Road users heading to Fadeyi area of Lagos State from Ketu or Ojota are advised to use the Ikorodu road.
Motorists from Lagos, Abeokuta, Agege, Ogba and Ikeja to make use of Oshodi via Mushin Ojuelegba to connect Carter Bridge into Island, while those from Ikorodu, Maryland are to make use of Funsho Williams Avenue, formerly, Western Avenue via Yaba to Oyingbo and connect Eko Bridge into the Island.
Motorists from Okokomaiko, Festac, Oshodi-Apapa Expressway are enjoined to go through Ajegunle via Marina Bridge to Ijora to connect Carter Bridge to Apongbon into Lagos Island.
Also, motorists from the Island are expected to ply Eko Bridge and Carter Bridge into Mainland, while those in Lekki Ajah can also make use of Epe axis through Imota into Ikorodu.
