As plans have been concluded to partially close the Third Mainland Bridge today July 24th by midnight, Lagosians have expressed worry over the traffic difficulties that will result from the closure. Many residents of Lagos State are jittery in expectation of human and vehicular traffic that will be experienced on all the alternative roads approved by the government.
However, the Lagos State Government has assured Lagosians of minimal burden as it partially closes the 3rd Mainland Bridge for repairs for the next six months. Babajide Sannwo-Olu gave the assurance on Thursday while receiving the new Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Lagos, Olusegun Ogungbemide, on a courtesy visit at the State House, Marina.
Mr Sanwo-Olu appealed to residents to exercise patience and bear the discomfort that would be experienced from the partial closure, which would begin on Friday evening.
He said that the closure of the 11.8km bridge – the busiest in the country – was inevitable, following physical deterioration observed on the structure, after an integrity test conducted by the Federal Government.
According to him, the closure of the bridge will bring about pain, but the development is necessary to prevent disaster that may result from the total collapse of the infrastructure.
He promised that men of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) would constantly be on the road with their Federal counterparts to ensure seamless movement of vehicles during the period.
Mr Sanwo-Olu said the state government had carried out improvement work on alternative routes mapped out for diversions.
