3rd mainland bridge partial closure begins: Lagosians assured of improved travel time
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THE THIRD MAINLAND BRIDGE, LAGOS
As the partial closure of the 3rd mainland bridge begins, Lagos State Government has re-assured the entire citizens of the state of ease of vehicular movement throughout the six Months duration of the maintenance work on the worn out expansion joints on the structure of the bridge.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, who gave the re-assurance announced that 650 LASTMA officials and 250 personnel of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, had been assigned to diversion points and alternative routes to manage the traffic flow for the duration of the rehabilitation work.
Dr. Oladehinde said alternative routes that would aid in decongesting the roads had been rehabilitated with the Lagos Bus Service Limited deploying more buses to designated routes with clearance to utilize the BRT corridors, while the Ilaje Jetty is in full operation to reduce travel time within the metropolis and to further minimize the inconveniences to be experienced due to the ongoing maintenance.
The Commissioner for Information & Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, allayed the anxiety of the citizenry by reiterating that Lagos State Government had made adequate provisions to make the designated alternative routes flawless only, if motorists cooperate with close to a thousand traffic managers already deployed for hassles free transportation throughout the maintenance period.
On the seemingly protracted maintenance period, Special Adviser to Governor Sanwoolu on Works & Infrastructure, Engr. Mrs. Aramide Adeyoye, explained that the procurement process as stipulated by the World Bank for transparency, quality assurance, checks and measures, purchases of sensitive and specific materials for the construction were major reasons for the lengthy duration of repair works.
She disclosed that the wear and tear of the section of the bridge underwater takes time to fix but added that a reasonable number of the alternative routes had been rehabilitated while the few ones remaining were undergoing repairs and will be ready soonest to meet the demands of the coming months.
Third Mainland Bridge
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Oluwatoyin Fayinka also announced that the State’s Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) will be at the forefront of operations with assistance from the Federal Road Safety Corp and the Nigerian Police Force to ensure seamless movement within the axis.
Fayinka assured that LASTMA as a traffic management agency is prepared to manage the movement within the metropolis during the stipulated period of the partial closure of the bridge and has instigated measures to ensure diligence on the part of its Officials through orientation and training.
Corroborating the words of the Aforementioned, Chairman Presidential Taskforce, Comrade Kayode Opeifa urged Lagosians to do away with the anxiety brewing over the partial closure of the bridge recounting that the partial closure was not the first of its kind in the State. He recalled that at previous times when the State wasn’t at its current capacity, it had fared fantastically well during the duration of the repairs.
Opeifa also advised that Organizations to provide buses for their staff to minimize inconveniences as they go about their operations.
Also speaking at the press briefing, The General Manager Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Engr. Olajide Oduyoye clarified that the 650 LASTMA Officers deployed will not affect other traffic management in other areas of the State, stating that minor traffic infringement will also be overlooked during this period.
Oduyoye declared that traffic management is the responsibility of every Lagosian, stating further that patronage of hawkers, indiscriminate stops for advertorial purpose, offloading and pick up of passengers and blocking intersections at BRT lanes among other inappropriate behaviors are impediments to traffic flow.
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