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Lagos appeals to residents as FG shuts 3rd MB for 6 months
BY EMMANUEL OGWU
The Lagos State Government has appealed to residents, especially motorists, for patience on the roads as the Federal Government announces a six-month closure of the Third Mainland Bridge, to allow for maintenance works.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Engr. Olukayode Popoola, said there would be diversion of traffic in two phases during the partial closure of the bridge between Friday July 24, 2020 and January 24, 2021.
Popoola said the Phase One of the diversion, which will last for three months for repairs of the Oworonsoki bound lane of the bridge, would be for morning traffic from 12:00am to 1:00pm, from Oworonshoki to Lagos Island on the Lagos Island bound lane, while the afternoon traffic from 1:00pm to 12:00am would be from Lagos Island to Oworonsoki on the Lagos Island bound lane.
Engr. Popoola said the Phase Two of the diversion, would also last for three months, for repairs of the Lagos Island bound lane of the bridge, and would be for morning traffic, from 12:00am to 1:00pm, from Oworonsoki to Lagos Island on the Oworonsoki bound lane, while the afternoon traffic from 1:00pm to 12:00am would be from Lagos Island to Oworonsoki on the Oworonsoki bound lane.
According to Popoola, the Federal Government and Lagos State Government will work with appropriate agencies for traffic control to direct and help traffic movement in the affected areas and alternative routes.
“Motorists are advised to also ply these alternative routes: First, from Carter Bridge through Iddo through Oyingbo to join Adekunle ramp inward Oworonsoki. Secondly, from Ijora Olopa through Western Avenue to Ikorodu Road,” Popoola advised.
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The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederick Oladeinde, said priority will be given to those driving from Mainland to the Island in morning and afternoon to use the Third Mainland Bridge while those driving against traffic will use the alternative routes.
Oladeinde assured motorists that the Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) will work with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in all the alternative routes to ensure that motorists have a smooth journey during the partial closure of the bridge.
The commissioner while stressing the need for reduction of vehicles on the road during the partial closure advised that those who do not have any genuine reason to be on the road should stay away from the bridge.
He said there would be increase in number of public vehicles for people to leave their vehicles at home to make the road less congested, adding that the public vehicles would be available and affordable for road users.
Dr. Oladeinde also advised Lagosians to use alternative means of transportation, such as ferries. He said there will be increase in number of fleets by the Lagos Ferry Services in the morning for people from Ikorodu and Mile 2.