Lagos announces temporary closure of third mainland bridge for critical repairs

The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation has announced the temporary closure of the Third Mainland Bridge to facilitate crucial remedial repairs on deteriorating sections of the bridge.

The repair work, conducted in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Works through the Lagos Public Works Corporation (LPWC), will necessitate the bridge’s closure on two consecutive Sundays, specifically September 17 and 24.

The closure will be in effect from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM on each Sunday.

Abdulhafiz Toriola, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, confirmed the upcoming rehabilitation project and assured that traffic management measures would be in place to ensure a swift completion of the repairs.

The repair efforts will be executed in two phases, with the initial phase concentrating on addressing the most critical sections of the bridge, particularly the Iyana-Oworonsoki inward Adeniji Adele/Lagos Island route.

To facilitate smooth traffic flow, a travel advisory has been issued.

Traffic from the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Alapere/Ogudu area heading towards Lagos Island will be redirected towards the Gbagada-Oshodi Expressway, which will then connect to Ikorodu Road/Funsho Williams Avenue, granting access to Eko Bridge and Lagos Island.

For commuters traveling from Lagos Mainland via Herbert Macaulay Road (Adekunle axis) to Lagos Island across the Third Mainland Bridge, they will be redirected towards Murtala Muhammed Way, leading to Carter Bridge, providing an alternate route to Lagos Island.

Toriola emphasized the importance of patience and adherence to safety measures during the bridge’s asphalt pavement repair. He assured that a coordinated effort involving agencies such as the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Police, and other traffic personnel would be deployed to manage traffic effectively.

He stated, “We assure that despite the traffic impact on the alternative routes, LASTMA will be deployed to minimize inconveniences and ease movement along the affected corridors. Various traffic agencies involved, in conjunction with other security and safety personnel, will ensure appropriate traffic management measures aimed at improving the safety and flow of traffic, reducing traffic emissions, and utilizing traffic artery capacity more effectively throughout the duration of the exercise.”