Why Third Mainland Bridge Needs To Be Closed For 6 Months – Ministry Of Works & Housing

The Ministry of Works and Housing has revealed why it isn’t going back on its plan to shut down the third mainland bridge for a period of 6 months.

According to the Ministry, vital repairs need to executed so as to avoid the collapse of the bridge.

The federal government had announced yesterday, July 7, 2020, that it would be shutting down the popular bridge for six months for maintenance starting from Friday, July 24, 2020.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, July 7, 2020, Mr. Olukayode Popoola, Controller of Works, Federal Ministry of Works, stated that the bridge was last rehabilitated in 2012 and that it is of vital importance that repairs be carried out immediately to avoid the popular bridge collapsing.

Popoola said that the first three months will be used to carry out work on the part of the bridge from the Lagos Island to the Mainland, while work on the other portion from Oworonsoki to Lagos Island would commence three months later.

His words:

We don’t want the bridge to collapse. We want to replace worn-out components and joints. The bridge will be partially closed and there will be a diversion of traffic from midnight to 1 pm every morning for movement from Oworonsoki to Lagos Island only on the Lagos Island-bound lane while from 1 pm to midnight, it will be Lagos Island to Oworonsoki traffic only on the Lagos Island-bound lane. This will be in place for three months for the repairs of the Oworonsoki bound lane.

Motorists are advised to also ply the alternative routes of Carter Bridge through Iddo to Oyingbo to join Adekunle ramp inward Oworonsoki, or from Ijora through Western Avenue to Ikorodu Road.”

The repair on the bridge is expected to end in January 2021.