SAN FRANCISCO, August 26, (THEWILL) –Â Â The Lagos State Government has, on Sunday, re-openedthe Third Mainland Bridge which was temporarily closed for Investigative Maintenance Test.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Dr Taiwo Salaam said the decision to reopen the bridge earlier than announced followed the completion of the test by engineers.
The government also thanked motorists and residents for their cooperation and patience while the closure lasted.
THEWILL recalls that Lagos, in partnership with the Federal Government, temporarily shut the bridge midnight 23 August.
The Minister of Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, and officials of relevant government agencies in the state were on the ground on Thursday to supervise the closure of the bridge.
Following the closure, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) deployed 650 personnel to all alternative routes to the Third Mainland Bridge, to ensure the free flow of traffic on the roads.
LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr Olawale Musa, had said that the agency was aware of the volume of traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge and the consequences of diverting such huge traffic on the alternative routes during the period.
He had asked the officers on duty to show compassion to motorists, especially those that were unfamiliar with the alternative routes and other roads in the metropolis.
Mr Musa also urged motorists and commuters to be patient and cooperative with the traffic officers, to ensure a free flow of traffic on all alternative routes during the closure.
It was to be re-opened midnight of Sunday Aug.26 but was re-opened at 5:00 pm, few hours earlier than scheduled.
