The Federal Government of Nigeria has flagged off the emergency repairs of the damaged elements of the Third Mainland Bridge superstructures including the loops and ramps connecting the Bridge in Lagos State.
David Umahi, Minister of Works, performed the flag-off ceremony on the bridge alongside Femi Hamzat, Deputy Governor of Lagos state among other dignitaries.
“This is aimed at the total repositioning of road and bridge infrastructure in Nigeria and to bring succour to road users who have suffered the effects of decayed infrastructure over the years,” he said.
“We intend to start with the four ramps to the bridge where works have already commenced on November 6, 2023 and will be completed on or before December 13, 2023,” he said. “The works on the major carriageway of the bridge will commence January 15, 2024.”
According to the Minister, the past administration in a bid to remedy the failed asphaltic surface and expansion joints of the Third Mainland Bridge awarded a contract for the comprehensive repairs of the loops and ramps connecting the Bridge, including the damaged elements of the bridge superstructures in Lagos to Messrs Plycon Limited in the total sum of N6,278,063,585.58.
“We observed that the project as awarded was for a limited scope and would not address all the concerns we have as regards the total restoration of the integrity of the bridge.
Read also: Third Mainland Bridge: Take alternative routes, FG tells motorists as repair work begins
“We have observed that there were extra layers of asphalt on the bridge deck of about 150mm thickness as a result of previous overlays done over time which constitutes extra dead load on the bridge and must be removed before a new layer of asphalt is laid in order not to compromise the integrity of the bridge.
“It therefore became imperative to expand the scope of work beyond the subsisting scope of work as awarded, to accommodate the additional work and quantities of work items needed to restore the integrity and serviceability of this very important bridge,” he said.
Umahi said that the development led to the expansion of the scope of the contract to allow for necessary remedial structural work beyond the initial limited scope, culminating in the award of a new contract to Messrs CCECC Nig Ltd in the sum of N21,047,430,431.71, which is being flagged off today.
“In keeping with his promise of a renewed hope for all Nigerians, the President has approved and provided the funds needed for the completion of the project.”
The scope of works to be covered by this contract includes milling of the existing asphaltic surface, provision of asphaltic concrete wearing course on the carriageway across the entire bridge length and ramps to a compacted thickness of 50mm, removal and replacement of worn-out expansion joints on the carriageway.
Other scope of the project are the removal of all existing guard rails and installation of new ones, painting of guardrails, kerb surface and concrete barriers, lane marking using thermoplastic material, and installation of solar powered street lights for proper illumination
Join BusinessDay whatsapp Channel, to stay up to date
Open In Whatsapp
