By Monalisa Agbata
Federal Government is set to shut down the 3rd Mainland Bridge for an ongoing rehabilitation. This information as made known by the Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr Olukayode Popoola is scheduled to last for 3 days starting from midnight of Friday 29th till midnight of February 1, 2021.
Mr Poopola, stated that “The contractor is planning to cast three number expansion joints on January 30 and Sunday 31.” This will require total closure of the Third Mainland bridge from midnight of Friday 29th till midnight of February 1, 2021.”
Mr Poopola explained that the closure was necessary for the repairs of the delicate expansion joints replacement. “The construction works have reached the stage for casting concrete on additional three expansion joints, hence the need to stop all movements on the bridge that could cause vibrations.”
He expressed his sympathy towards residents and motorists who may find this move inconveniencing but urged them to be patient, saying that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration is passionate about quality infrastructure delivery and road users’ safety.
Recall that the 3rd Mainland Bridge in Lagos had been shut down severally in the past starting from July 24, 2020, for series of renovations. The construction was earlier split into two phases of three months on each carriageway.
The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, while inspecting the ongoing construction work, expressed optimism about the bridge’s repair work’s speedy completion, which is scheduled to be reopened to traffic on February 15 2021.
“On the Third Mainland Bridge, most of our work is almost done, we lost two weeks during the civil protest, and our completion date earlier was towards the end of January, which has slipped. “We are hoping that by February 15, we should be done and the bridge should be opened to the public.”
The Minister added that “That is one reason I also came to see how far and when this bridge will be opened to the public because this is delaying our work on Falomo Bridge. “We have done some work on Falomo Bridge; we are going to have to close Falomo Bridge as soon as this is done so that we can also replace the expansion joints there. “All the other preliminary work has been done there, but we left it to reduce the inconvenience to commuters in and around Lagos. “So, the Eko Bridge that was closed is opened now, this one (Third Mainland Bridge) is going to be opened by February 15.”