The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State- Mr Adedamola Kuti, has revealed that traffic arrangements have been put in place as the Federal Government has plans to begin another phase of major repairs on the Third Mainland Bridge.
Kuti disclosed that on Sunday that results of investigative tests on the bridge were ready and that contractors would move to site at the completion of the traffic management strategy.
“Once I get our traffic plans approved, work will soon begin on Third Mainland Bridge. Meanwhile, we have already completed the resurfacing and the markings, such that you can now drive on Third Mainland Bridge smoothly. We are also going to repair some of the piles or pillars carrying the bridge; that is the next phase that we are doing,” said Mr Kuti.
The Third Mainland Bridge is the longest of three bridges connecting Lagos Island to the mainland, the others are the Eko and Carter bridges. It was the longest bridge in Africa until 1996 when The 6th October Bridge located in Cairo was completed. The bridge starts from Oworonshoki which is linked to the Apapa-Oshodi expressway and Lagos-Ibadan expressway and ends at the Adeniji Adele Interchange on Lagos Island.
The bridge was built by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC and opened by President Ibrahim Babangida in 1990; it measures about 11.8km in length. The bridge which was opened about 30 years ago by the then military government has had haphazard maintenance and repairs in the past. The investigative maintenance test done is expected to enable the contractors to assess the true state of the bridge after which works will commence.
The Third Mainland Bridge is an essential part of the state’s daily commuting, and as such requires to be constantly renovated. It has also come to be a major icon, offering different views of Lagos – the Lagos Lagoon, the University of Lagos Waterfront and Makoko, a shantytown built on the Lagos Lagoon.
