Federal Controller of Works in Lagos state, Mr Olukayode Popoola has on Wednesday announced that Third Mainland Bridge would be closed for three days for another round of delicate expansion joints replacement.
Third Mainland Bridge, which is going through series of repairs, had to be partially shut on July 24, 2020 for rehabilitation works.
Read Also: FG To Shut Third Mainland Bridge For Six Months
The repair expected to last six months was extended by one month due to the recent #EndSARS protests in Lagos, extending the completion date from January 2021 to February.
Read Also: Third Mainland Bridge To Be Fully Reopened February 15 – Fashola
Popoola told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the shutdown would take effect from midnight on Friday, January 29 to midnight of Monday, February 1.
He explained that construction works had 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.
Popoola said that the 72 hours closure is to ensure that the concrete sets properly during the curing process’ to make the rehabilitation works perfect and durable.
He appealed for the understanding of Lagos residents, saying that, President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration was passionate about quality infrastructure delivery and safety of road users.
Popoola expressed;
Messers Boroni Prono is planning to cast three number expansion joints on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st.
This will require total closure of Third Mainland bridge from 12:00 midnight of Friday 29th till midnight of Monday 1st February 2021. We are sorry for the inconveniences this may cause Lagosians.
The construction of the bridge was initially divided into two phases of three months on each carriageway, starting with the Oworonsoki bound carriageway whose completion dragged to four months.
Traffic was partially diverted on a stretch of 3.5km where construction is ongoing between Adeniji Adeniji Ramp and Ebute Metta, while different time belts were allotted for traffic diversions on the bridge.
The 11.8km bridge is the longest of the three bridges connecting Lagos Island to the Mainland.
The bridge starts from Oworonshoki, which is linked to Apapa-Oshodi Expressway and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and ends at the Adeniji Adele Interchange on Lagos Island.
Constructed in 1990, the bridge was adjudged to be the longest in Africa until 1996 when 6th October Bridge in Cairo, Egypt was completed.
