The Lagos State Government has said that the Third Mainland Bridge will be temporarily shut for four days beginning from midnight of August 23 to midnight of August 26, 2018 to allow for investigative maintenance test to be carried before embarking on proper repairs in future.
The Federal Government, had earlier announced plans to shut the bridge in July, but had to shelve the closure after consulting with the Lagos State Government and other relevant stakeholders.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Mr. Ade Akinsanya, who disclosed this yesterday, said the decision of the four day closure was taken after due consultation with the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing.
Akinsanya said: “The Third Mainland Bridge, which was opened about 30 years ago by the then military government has had haphazard maintenance and repairs in the past which the present Federal Government is committed to correct by carrying out proper and continuous maintenance and repairs on it.”
He added that all traffic management agencies, including the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, and the Police, among others, had been mandated to ensure smooth flow of traffic on all the other alternative roads and traffic corridor across the metropolis to ensure free flow of traffic.
Deploys technology for traffic rules enforcement
Meanwhile, the state government said it has begun deployment of technology in the enforcement of traffic rules.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Ladi Lawanson said: “The state government has taken some measures that required the support of citizens to achieve desired results in traffic management. Government has begun deployment of technology in the enforcement of traffic rules, while we are also intensifying efforts to change the bad attitudes of commercial motorcyclists and motorists through sensitization programmes.
“The change of attitude will require much engagement with their unions. Enforcement and governance require a lot of engagement, it is not just telling somebody this is what I want you to do.”