By Thompson ABISOLA
The Federal Controller, Works, Lagos, Mr Adedamola Kuti, on Monday appealed for the understanding of road users during the three days that the Third Mainland Bridge would be shut to traffic for investigative maintenance test.
Kuti speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Federal Ministry of Works Headquarters in Lagos said that the bridge would be closed to traffic between August 24 and August 26.
He appealed for patience and understanding of road-users during the period of the closure.
“Investigative Maintenance Test on Third Mainland Bridge is to be carried out between Friday, Aug. 24 and Sunday, Aug. 26.
“Consequently, the bridge will be temporarily closed to traffic by 12:00 midnight of Thursday, Aug. 23 and be reopened by 12.00 midnight Sunday , Aug. 26,” he said.
He said all hands would be on deck to ensure that road-users experienced minimal hardship during the period, adding that, adequate diversions have been created on the alternative routes.
“All we need is the patience and cooperation of road users at this time. Alternative routes have been provided and motorists should comply with directional signs and traffic control managers,’’ he said.
He said repair works had been ongoing on the alternative routes, adding that, traffic diversions would be through Ikorodu Road, Funsho Williams Avenue, Eko Bridge and Apongbon Bridge to Lagos Island.
“For some time now, we have been carrying out maintenance works, we have ensured that some of the pot holes on the alternative routes had been fixed and we have been doing that for a couple of weeks,’’ he said.
Kuti said because of the Sallah holiday, traffic was expected to be at its lowest and it was better to have the test on the bridge before schools’ resumption in September.
Also, Assistant Corps Commander Hauwa Olowookere of the Federal Roads Safety Corps (FRSC) Unit Commander, Lagos Island, advised drivers to “exert ultimate caution” while driving during the period of closure of the bridge.
“We implore drivers to be patient, to obey traffic officers on the road, arrangements have been put in place to ensure that there are route assurance signs to calm the traffic.
“So, we should look out for the signs, we will be seeing them very shortly on our roads to direct you to diversions accordingly,” she said.
She added that the FRSC was working on a camping pattern where its men would work both day and night on both the Island and the Mainland in synergy with other traffic regulatory agencies to prevent gridlock.
She appealed to the road users to be patient as all hands were on deck to ensure their safety and comfort.
Also, Mr Adeoye Oluyemi, Head of Operations, LASTMA said: “Our general advice is compliance.
“We know that there will be disruption of movement but as alternative routes have been provided, we expect all motorists, either commercial or private, to comply with directives from traffic officials at all times in order to have a seamless traffic,’’ he said.
It would be recalled that traffic regulatory agencies, law enforcement agencies and officials of the Lagos State Ministries of Transportation and Works were represented at the meeting.
