At least 132, 406 road users plying the Lagos Third Mainland Bridge on a daily basis would be affected, as the Federal Government embarks on its partial closure for maintenance with effect from July 24 to January 23, 2021.
But Babatunde Fashola, minister of works and housing, said at a media briefing on Tuesday that the repair work was about prioritising safety of the populace who commute daily on the road.
However, as part of the efforts to cushion the effect og the partial closure, the Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) would be increasing its daily trips on most of the routes it currently operates.
Abdoulbaq Ladi Balogun, managing director of LAGFERRY, listed some of the water routes to include Ilaje-Bariga terminal; situated at the beginning of the Third Mainland Bridge from Oworonsoki to Victoria Island to Falomo-Ikoyi to CMS-Marina and terminates at Ebute-Ero and Bayeku to Oke ra nla to Badore.
Describing the bridge as the busiest route in the country averaging 132,406 road users according to traffic count of 2019, Fashola said a combined selected team from the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Federal Ministry of Works would continuously brief people on alternative routes to follow as the partial maintenance last.
The bridge is 12.8km, we are closing 3.5km so it is partial and not a total closure, Fashola said.
He said Hyginus Omeje from the FRSC and an engineer from the works and housing would be our spokespersons on ground and we have directed them to liaise with Lagos Traffic radio and engage on the social media space communicating with the people on alternative roads,”Fashola said.
Fashola said the Federal Government was also undertaking the survey for all the bridges across the country to determine their urgency and their repair needs.
He said: “At a time, we estimated that we would need about N227 billion for such maintenance to do all of that work for over a period of four years. We didn’t get what we requested, but started off with what we got.
As we speak, we’ve intervened on 37 bridges across Nigeria’in respect to maintenance work, Fashola said.
The minister also stated that work has started in Eko Bridge and Obalande Bridge which was damaged by fire tanker that exploded a month ago.
Boboye Oyeyemi, the corps marshal of FRSC, who described the road as the busiest in the country, said the corps was ready to manage the traffic situation as the government diverts traffic for the partial closure.
“It is common practice all over the world to make periodic maintenance a priority.
Historically, the bridge started its life in the 70’s and got finished in the 90’s. It was built as a response to the rapid urbanisation of Lagos with its increasing population and traffic problems.
Meanwhile, as part of the efforts to cushion the effect the partial closure of the bridge, the Lagos State government has said that Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) would be increasing its daily trip operations on most of the routes it currently operates.
In addition, the state government also disclosed that arrangement has been concluded to commence operations in other 2 new routes.
The two new routes according to a statement signed by the managing director, Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY), Abdoulbaq Ladi Balogun, are Ilaje-Bariga terminal; situated at the beginning of the Third Mainland Bridge from Oworonsoki to Victoria Island to Falomo-Ikoyi to CMS-Marina and terminates at Ebute-Ero and Bayeku to Oke ra nla to Badore.
The increase in daily trip operations, according to LAGFERRY, would see most of the large passengers boats like the 50 Seater MV Mobolaji Johnson and MV Bola Tinubu embark on two trips every morning and evening respectively.
It added that the 30-seater MV Igbega Eko, MV Babatunde Fashola and MV Oba Akiolu would be increasing their trip operations to three in the morning and evening, at the Ipakodo Terminal, Ikorodu to Victoria Island, Falomo-Ikoyi, CMS-Marina and Ebute-Ero Monday to Friday throughout the duration of the rehabilitation works.
While the MV Alausa (60Pax), MV Ejirin (60Pax), MV Itesiwaju (60Pax) and MV Ipakodo (40Pax) are expected to embark on 1 trip each in the morning and evening.
