Commuters celebrate as Third Mainland Bridge repairs finish ahead of schedule
On Sunday, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, expressed her satisfaction with the repairs carried out on the Third Mainland Bridge, assuring motorists of a smooth ride until comprehensive rehabilitation begins in January 2024.
Kesha provided this assurance during an on-the-spot inspection of the bridge.
Earlier, on Thursday, she had announced a 24-hour closure of the bridge to facilitate repairs on critical sections.
The closure was in effect from midnight on Saturday until midnight on Sunday to alleviate the challenges faced by motorists.
READ ALSO: FGN to shut Third Mainland Bridge for repairs
During the inspection, Kesha examined various portions between Iyana-Oworo and Adeniji-Adele, where remedial repairs were performed on a 9.7-kilometer stretch of the Lagos Island in-bound lane.
She clarified that the construction work was considered a palliative measure to maintain the highway in good condition until the comprehensive rehabilitation begins in January 2024.
Kesha emphasized that the repair work would extend beyond January, with the intention of ensuring the road’s longevity.
She also mentioned that components required for the comprehensive rehabilitation were being imported for the emergency repairs to commence.
She explained that the prior efforts by the Federal Ministry of Works had focused on addressing failed portions, while the comprehensive rehabilitation would involve the complete removal and replacement of the asphalt surface.
Additionally, damaged ramps and expansion joints would be replaced, and parapet walls would be painted, among other major repairs.
The contract for the comprehensive rehabilitation of the bridge, scheduled for January, would span six months but be divided into two segments of three months each.
Kesha assured that these comprehensive repairs would breathe new life into the infrastructure, and the bridge would have a refreshed appearance.
She urged road users to continue enjoying a smooth ride on the highway while adhering to traffic and safety rules.
Meanwhile, some road users spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and expressed their gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the repairs, but they also called for more routine maintenance and increased funding for the bridge and other roads in Lagos.
Adewale Edward, a commercial bus driver who plies the Ikeja-CMS/Obalende route, commended the repairs conducted during the weekend, noting that it was done during an off-peak period.
He emphasized the need for regular maintenance and proactive measures to keep the bridge free of potholes consistently.
Sadia Saleh, a trader in Oke Koto, Agege area, praised the president for introducing short-term repairs that didn’t negatively impact activities and businesses.
She suggested that the government should conduct similar repairs on weekends and at night, considering the high population in Lagos.
Other road users also commended Tinubu and appealed for increased funding for federal road projects in the state.
The Third Mainland Bridge, spanning 11.8 kilometers, is the longest of the three bridges connecting Lagos Island to the mainland.
It starts from Oworonshoki, linking the Apapa-Oshodi expressway and Lagos-Ibadan expressway, and ends at the Adeniji-Adele interchange on Lagos Island.
It was constructed in 1990 and held the title of Africa’s longest bridge until 1996 when the October 6 Bridge in Cairo, Egypt, was completed.
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