Motorists have again raised concerns over what they described as the deplorable state of the Third Mainland Bridge.
They have called on the government to immediately fix the bridge which is the longest among the three bridges that connect Lagos Island with Mainland.
The about 11.8km bridge starts from the Oworonshoki end of the Mainland and ends at the Adeniji Adele Interchange on Lagos Island.
The bridge has witnessed different rehabilitation works since it was completed in 1990 with the last one carried out on April 2, 2023, by the Lagos State Government.
The state government had said though the bridge fell under the jurisdiction of the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency, it had to move in to repair the inbound and outbound sections along the University of Lagos axis, due to vehicular tailback and the danger posed by the level of damage to motorists.
Despite these interventions, however, PUNCH Metro reports that potholes are spreading on the bridge, raising fear of accidents among the users of the bridge.
From the beginning of the bridge to its end, potholes are noticed with more noticeable ones around the Obalende to Adekunle stretch. They are also noticeable while approaching the bridge from Ebute Meta.
Our correspondent who monitored events around the bridge on Monday reported that its deplorable state has been causing traffic jams which in turn has been leading to an increase in the cost of transportation along the axis.
At the Oworonshoki bus stop end of the bridge, our correspondent noticed around 9.30am that the potholes on the bridge had caused a traffic jam that left many motorists and commuters stranded.
A commercial driver, Lawal Adegbenro, lamented that the potholes on the bridge were taking a toll on his vehicle.
Adegbenro also lamented that the gridlock that characterises the deplorable state of the bridge also makes drivers burn fuel, forcing them to hike transport fares.
He said, “The bridge is causing hardship for the people. Sometimes, where I am supposed to charge N800, I will charge N1000 because of bad spots on the bridge. You know this traffic consumes fuel, so it costs much for us to be in the traffic.
“The traffic didn’t used to be like this at this time of the day. It’s around 6-6.30am when people are rushing to work that you’d see this kind of traffic but at this time of the day, we don’t expect the traffic we are having now and it is because of the bad parts of the road.
“We need the government to help us maintain the road so that the road will be free for everybody.”
Another commercial driver who declined to give his name also lamented the state of the bridge.
“The government is aware of this development. Almost all the radio stations I listen to on this bus have been talking about it but the government has turned a blind eye,” he said.
Regular users of the bridge have also taken to social media to vent their anger on its bad state.
On X (formerly Twitter), @tayearimoro wrote, “I think this needs to get to the ministry in charge of works. Sections of the Third Mainland Bridge have become death traps.”
Another user, @Essien_Sam wrote, “Third Mainland Bridge will bring out the Dominic Toretto in you because those potholes will test you.”
Also, another user, @Tobbie_bola wrote, “Please who is in charge of fixing the many potholes on Third Mainland Bridge? These potholes are causing serious traffic and nothing has been done. That road is overdue for maintenance.”
Irked by the state of the bridge, the Lagos State Government had in September planned rehabilitative works on the failed sections of the bridge.
The repairs were scheduled to go on for two consecutive Sundays, September 17 and 24, between 7am to 7pm on both days.
The government later announced the suspension of the planned rehabilitation.
According to a release signed by state Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the postponement was “due to the downpour experienced in all parts of the metropolis.”
The state government had yet to announce a new date for the rehabilitation.
On Friday, while speaking on Channels TV, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, opposed the idea of continuously pilling asphalt on the bridge.
According to him, pilling asphalts on the bridge could be dangerous as it could likely cause vehicles to overturn.
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