Yemisi Izuora
The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola on Thursday, January 14, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to the speedy completion and reopening of the Third Mainland Bridge to traffic on February 15.
Fashola during an inspection of the bridge assessed ongoing construction work as well as the planned diversion shifts on the bridge which will take effect from Friday, January 15 to February 13.
The minister expressed hope that work on the bridge would be completed and reopened to traffic on Feb. 15 to enable the government to begin work on the Falomo Bridge.
He explained that work on the Falomo Bridge was being delayed to avert the gridlock that may ensue.
“On the Third Mainland Bridge most of our work is almost done, we lost two weeks during the civil protest and our completion date earlier was towards the end of January, that has slipped.
“We are hoping that by 15th of February we should be done and the bridge should be opened to the public.
“That is one of the reasons why I also came to see how far and when this bridge will be opened to the public because this is delaying our work on Falomo Bridge.
“We have done some work on Falomo Bridge, we are going to have to close Falomo Bridge; as soon as this is done so that we can also replace the expansion joints there.
“All the other preliminary work has been done there; but we left it in order to reduce the inconvenience to commuters in and around Lagos.
“So, the Eko Bridge that was closed is opened now; this one (Third Mainland Bridge) is going to be opened by Feb. 15,’’ he said.
The minister added that the closure of the Falomo Bridge will happen in consultation with the Lagos State Government.
While inspecting the rehabilitated Obalende Bridge; damaged by tanker fire, Fashola commended Buildwell Plants and Equipment Industries Ltd, contractors; that handled repairs of for doing a good job.
Also, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mr Olukayode Popoola also shed some light; on the ongoing rehabilitation works on the outer Marina Road on Lagos Island.
Popoola said that work had been completed on three kilometres to asphalt level out of the ongoing rehabilitation works on eight kilometres.