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Tag: Third Mainland Bridge

  • BREAKING: FG partially shuts Third Mainland Bridge

    BREAKING: FG partially shuts Third Mainland Bridge

    The Federal Government on Tuesday partially shut down the Iyana Oworonshoki-Adeniji Adele section of the Third Mainland Bridge, to begin comprehensive rehabilitation works on the bridge.

    The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos State, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, supervised the closure to mark the beginning of the rehabilitation.

    The closure was done at the intersection where motorists coming from Ojota link the Third Mainland Bridge on the Island-bound carriageway.

    Kesha was accompanied by the Sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr Kayode Farinloye; the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi; Commissioner of Police, Fayoade Adekoya, and other top officials.

    She said the closure of the bridge would be done in two phases daily and traffic diverted to different carriageways at different times.

    This, she said, was to give motorists opportunity to use the bridge while the rehabilitation works continued.

    She explained that the Mainland in-bound Lagos Island lane would be open from 12.00 a.m. to noon, while those who intend to come from the Island to the Mainland will use Eko Bridge.

    She added that from 12.00 p.m. to midnight, motorists would be able to access the bridge from the Island to the Mainland, while motorists from the Mainland heading towards the Island would have to use Eko or Carter Bridge.

    Kesha said the rehabilitation works, which will include replacement of some expansion joints and total replacement of asphalt, would last between six to eight weeks.

    She said the closure was part of the ongoing work that started in November, 2023, focusing on fixing the ramps, and some repairs on the remaining parts of the bridge, including the underdeck and lagoon sections.

    “Motorists from Iyana Oworo, Toll Gate, Ogudu or Ibadan can no longer use this axis (Island Bound carriageway) so they will have to go through Gbagada, Anthony-Ikorodu-Road-Western-Avenue, Funsho Williams to Carter Bridge or Eko Bridge going forward but this is going to be a daily thing.

    “So, in the morning, they have the access from 12 midnight to 12 noon the next day while in the afternoon, the Adeniji to Iyana Oworo bound have the free access from 1.00 p.m. thereabout till 12 midnight,” she said.

    The controller said measures were in place, including radio jingles, to ensure motorists understand diversion points, to ensure seamless movement.

    She said adequate road signs would be added around detour points at Ojota and Oworonshoki in addition to traffic managers’ deployment to reduce challenges of road users.

    Keisha said that the scope of work would include complete removal and replacement of the asphalt of the deck to the standard two inches to make motoring smoother and safer on the bridge.

    She said carefully chosen competent contractors on the project were going to work round the clock for speedy completion of the top deck work on the bridge.

    “There will be 24 hours construction here, that is why it is fast-tracked to eight weeks,” the controller said.

    She said that the Minister for Works, Mr David Umahi, was going to flag off rehabilitation works under the bridge at the weekend, so that simultaneously work would take place both on lagoon sections and the top deck.

    Keisha expressed confidence that there would be seamless traffic flow and management because of the collaboration with the traffic and law enforcement heads who would be physically present.

    She appealed to motorists to obey traffic rules and use alternative routes to prevent hardship as comprehensive repairs continued on the highway.

    Osiyemi, on his part, expressed satisfaction with the collaboration between the state and federal government.

    He said that 250 Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) personnel would be deployed to work with road safety officials on the project.

    Also, the state Commissioner of Police promised top-notch security for the project, while his FRSC counterpart promised to ensure all exits and links to the bridge were properly manned.

    Some motorists who were the first set of people to be affected by the closure commended the government, but called for measures against hardship on the road.

  • Again, FG to close section of Third Mainland Bridge

    Again, FG to close section of Third Mainland Bridge

    The Federal Government has announced a planned closure of the Iyana Oworonshoki-Adeniji Adele section of the Third Mainland Bridge from 11.00 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024.

    The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos State, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, made the announcement on Thursday in a statement.

    Kesha said the closure would be done on the Lagos Island-bound carriageway of the bridge.

    She appealed to motorists to obey traffic rules and use alternative routes to prevent hardship as comprehensive repairs continue on the highway.

    “The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Works wish to inform the motoring public that the emergency repairs of Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos will continue with the closure of Iyana Oworonshoki-Adeniji Adele bound for the effective repairs of the entire section of the bridge.

    “Consequent upon the above, motorists are hereby advised to use alternative routes,” she said.

    Kesha listed the alternative routes and links to include: Ojota-Ikorodu Road-Funsho Williams Avenue-Eko Bridge-Apogbon-CMS and Ojota-Ikorodu Road-Jibowu-Yaba-Oyingbo-Iddo-Carter Bridge-CMS.

    Also listed was Gbagada-Anthony-Ikorodu Road-Funsho Williams-Eko Bridge-Apogbon-CMS.

    “Motorists are further advised to cooperate with the traffic management officials deployed to manage traffic and ensure hitch- free movements in order to minimise the discomfort during this repair period.

    “While thanking the general public for their past cooperation and understanding, more is expected this time around,” she said.

    The 11.8kms Third Mainland Bridge undergoing comprehensive rehabilitation is the longest of three bridges connecting Lagos Island to the Mainland.

    The bridge starts from Oworonshoki, linked to the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway and Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, and ends at the Adeniji Adele Interchange on Lagos Island.

    It was constructed in 1990 and adjudged as the longest Bridge in Africa until 1996 when the Oct. 6 Bridge in Cairo, Egypt was completed.

  • FG to shutdown Adeniji/Adekunle Third Mainland Bridge ramps for repairs on Monday

    FG to shutdown Adeniji/Adekunle Third Mainland Bridge ramps for repairs on Monday

    The Federal Ministry of Works, on Friday announced total closure of the four ramps on Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos, for repairs starting from 7.00 a.m. on Nov. 20.

    The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos State, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, in a statement on Friday, appealed to motorists to continue to use alternative routes, obey traffic rules and officials during the repairs.

    “The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works, wish to inform the motoring public that government has perfected plans to carry out comprehensive repairs of Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.

    “In view of the above, the motoring public is, hereby, notified that all four ramps connecting Adekunle to Third Mainland Bridge will be closed at the same time going forward.

    “Consequently, motorists are, hereby, advised to use alternative routes while cooperating with the traffic management officials deployed to manage traffic and ensure hitch- free movement,” she said.

    According to reports, comprehensive repair of the 11.8kms Third Mainland Bridge began with closure of the Adekunle ramp on Nov. 6.

    The Minister of Works, David Umahi, and the Lagos State government later flagged off the comprehensive rehabilitation project expected to gulp over N21.074bn on Nov. 9.

    Umahi said the repairs of the four ramps of Adekunle/Adeniji would be completed on or before Dec. 13 for Christmas and New Year, while the maintenance of the main carriageways would begin in January 2024.

    However, the main carriageways of the Third Mainland Bridge, both Island and mainland bound, are still opened to traffic.

    The Adekunle section of the Third Mainland Bridge has four ramps, which has a convergence point, and the repairs of all the ramps are expected be completed within five weeks.

    NAN

  • Emergency repair of Third Mainland Bridge begins

    Emergency repair of Third Mainland Bridge begins

    The Ministry if Works in collaboration with the Lagos State government on Wednesday flagged off the Emergency Repairs of the Third Mainland Bridge.

    Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi, accompanied by the Deputy Governor of Lagos, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, during the flag-off, said ongoing emergency rehabilitation of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State would gulp over N21.074 billion.

    He said the sum was as a result of an expansion of the scope of work to include complete replacement of the asphalt of the bridge deck to the standard two inches to make motoring smoother and safer on the bridge.

    “This is yet another milestone in the actualisation of the renewed hope agenda of divine President Ahmed Bola Tinubu.

    “This amongst other things 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.

    He said previous efforts to fix the bridge did not address all the concerns for total restoration of the integrity of the bridge, hence the need to expand the scope of the repairs.

    He added that a special feature agreed with the Lagos State government was to fix spikes on the guard railings to discourage suicide attempts on the bridge.

    The Minister added that, the repairs of the four ramps of Adekunle/Adeniji would be completed on or before Dec. 13 for  Christmas and New Year, while the maintenance of the main carriageways would begin in January 2024.

    “It is pertinent to state that the ongoing works being flagged off today only concern the superstructure elements of the bridge.

    “The ministry is currently carrying out investigations as well as the design of the piles, pile caps, piers as well as the deflected deck slab.

    “This will lead to the award of a contract for the restoration of the substructure elements of the bridge at a later time,” he said.

    On his part, Hamzat thanked President Bola Tinubu for giving attention to the maintenance of Third Mainland bridge and others in the state.

    Hamzat expressed confidence that Umahi would replicate his sterling achievements in the area of infrastructure as governor of Ebonyi.

    He appealed to Lagos residents to accept the minimal discomfort the repair of the bridge might cause, assuring that it was necessary for the overall good of the public.

    Umahi and the Deputy Governor later visited the starting point of the proposed Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway where they had discussions with some firms.

    Umahi said the project which had its starting point at Victoria Island near Eko Atlantic City was a Public Private Partnership and would boost interconnectivity in the nation.

    He other infrastructure along the project alignment would promote tourism, job creation and interconnectivity.

    Hamzat assured that the Right of Way (RoW) of the project had been recovered by the state government.

    He appealed to Lagos residents not build or buy land along the project alignment, adding that, several problems in the built environment were caused by physical planning infractions.

    On the entourage of the Minister were, the Director, Highways Construction and Rehabilitation, Mr Adedamola Kuti; Director Highways, Bridges and Designs, Mr Omotayo Awosanya, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, among others.

    The Deputy Governor was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Infrastructure, Mr Olufemi Daramola, and other top directors of the Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure.

  • FG to shut Adeniji/Adekunle ramps of Third Mainland Bridge for repairs

    FG to shut Adeniji/Adekunle ramps of Third Mainland Bridge for repairs

    The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos State, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, has appealed to motorists to use alternative routes to avert gridlock as comprehensive repair on Adekunle ramps of Third Mainland Bridge begins on Monday.

    Kesha made the appeal on Sunday while addressing a World Press Conference on the 11.8kms Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.

    She said the repairs would begin on Nov. 6, and the Adekunle exit ramp would be closed to traffic from 9.00 a.m. for two weeks’ rehabilitation after which work would move to other areas.

    She said the Adekunle section of the Third Mainland Bridge had four ramps which had a convergence point, adding that, repair of all the ramps would be completed within five weeks.

    She said the sensitisation became necessary to guide motorists, assuring that the Third Mainland Bridge was open and free for use except for those that would want to connect Adekunle from the bridge.

    “We are here to sensitise Lagosians on the forthcoming closure of Third Mainland Bridge tommorow Nov. 6. By 9.00 a.m. the two acess ramps to Adekunle will be closed to traffic.

    “What that means is that if you are coming from Iyana Oworo you can go straight. And if you are heading for Lagos Island, the road is still free for you; that bridge is still free for you.

    “You can use it straight to the Island but peradventure you are going to Adekunle, you will not be able to do that if you are coming from Iyana Oworo,” she said.

    The controller said motorists coming from Lagos-Ibadan Expressway/Toll Gate/Ogudu axis inwards Lagos Island would not be able to access Adekunle/Ebute-Metta from the Third Mainland Bridge.

    Kesha urged the motorists to make use of alternative routes like Carter Bridge, Gbagada, Ikorodu Road, Ojota and Funsho Williams Avenue, to avoid congestion on the Third Mainland Bridge.

    She assured that signages had already been placed at strategic locations, in addition to billboards, while traffic officials would be on ground to help motorists.

    She urged motorists and other road users to be patient and obey traffic rules and officials during the period of repairs.

    She reaffirmed earlier announcements on the scope of work announced by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, which included resurfacing of the entire bridge, replacement of expansion joints, solar lights installation, among others.

    The controller assured that all vandalised furniture on the highway, including guard rails would be replaced.

    She appealed to the public to be vigilant to report vandals from destroying common assets.

  • FG to spend N15 billion on Third Mainland Bridge repair

    FG to spend N15 billion on Third Mainland Bridge repair

    The Federal Government (FG) has allocated the sum of N15 billion in the N2.18tn supplementary budget for the repairs of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State.

    The amount was tied to urgent comprehensive repairs/rehabilitation of the Third Mainland Bridge as disclosed by the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Olukorede Kesha,

    As contained in the N2.18tn supplementary budget, the Federal Government owed contractors who worked on the Eko/Marine Bridges the sum of N11,400,024, 608.

    In the statement, Kesha stated: “In view of the above, the motoring public is, hereby, notified that the repair works will begin with the ramps connecting Oworoshoki to Adekunle and Lagos- Island (Adeniji Adele) to Adekunle simultaneously.

    “Consequently, the two ramps mentioned above will be closed to traffic by 7 am on Monday, November 6, 2023, for five weeks.

    “Motorists are, therefore, advised to cooperate with the traffic management officials by obeying and observing all diversions as directed and are encouraged to use the alternative routes as provided.”

  • FG to close Third Mainland Bridge for five weeks repair

    FG to close Third Mainland Bridge for five weeks repair

    The Federal Government on Wednesday said that it had perfected plans to close a section of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos for five weeks comprehensive repairs.

    A statement by the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, said that the repairs would start from Monday, Nov. 6, 2023.

    “The Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Works wish to inform the motoring public that it has perfected plans to carry out comprehensive repairs of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos.

    “In view of the above, the motoring public are hereby notified that the repair works will begin with the ramps connecting Oworonshoki to Adekunle and Lagos-Island (Adeniji Adele) to Adekunle simultaneously.

    “Consequently, the two ramps mentioned above will be closed to traffic by 7.00 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023 for five weeks.

    “Motorists are, therefore, advised to cooperate with the traffic management officials by obeying and observing all diversions as directed. They are encouraged to use the alternative routes as attached,” she said.

    The controller in a traffic advisory urged motorists to comply with traffic rules, adding that traffic officers would be deployed at all diversion routes for effective monitoring, management and control.

    Kesha said tow trucks and vehicles would also be deployed for prompt removal of distressed vehicles and trucks.

    She attached a traffic management plan for seamless movement during the emergency repairs of the Third Mainland Bridge.

    Motorists coming from Iyana-Oworo on the Mainland and going to Adekunle were advised to avoid the Third Mainland and use alternative routes.

    Likewise, the ones coming from the Island on the Adeniji side going to Adekunle should use alternative routes because there will not be access to Adekunle.

  • Umahi raises safety concern for Third Mainland Bridge

    Umahi raises safety concern for Third Mainland Bridge

    Minister of Works, David Umahi has raised a safety concern for the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State, disclosing that a comprehensive rehabilitation of the 11.8-kilometer bridge would begin on November.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Umahi, who made this disclosure on Saturday during an inspection of the under deck, lagoon sections of the Third Mainland Bridge and other bridges in the State, said rehabilitation of the bridge will be for a period of three months.

    Umahi, a team of engineers, directors of the Federal Ministry of Works and journalists inspected the lagoon sections of the Third Mainland, Carter, Independence and Falomo Bridges.

    The Minister and the team also inspected the deteriorating Marina shoreline, the failing portions of the Five Cowries Bridge located inside Zone Two Police Headquarters in Onikan, Ijora Bridge and Marina Bridge in Apapa.

    He said the entire stretch of the Third Mainland Bridge would undergo total resurfacing with minimal discomfort to road users, and that the repairs would be carried out by midnight and during weekends.

    He revealed that he carried out inspection of the top surface of the bridge on Friday before embarking on inspection of the Lagoon portions.

    The Minister explained that patching of various sections of the top surface of the bridge had led to undulating surfacing, which he stressed was not healthy for its safety, hence the need to remove and relay the entire asphaltic covering.

    “We are going to mill out the excess asphalt and retain only two millimetres,” he said.

    The minister said the proposed maintenance of Third Mainland Bridge, which would last three months was the first phase meant to secure the integrity as well aesthetics of the upper deck components of the bridge.

    He explained that the maintenance of the aesthetics would include replacement of the railings, installation of solar-powered lights and CCTV cameras for optimal security of the bridge.

    The minister assured that the three-month maintenance work would be without discomfort to motorists, as it would take place only between midnight and 4.00 a.m. and during weekends.

    He added that more than one contractor would be engaged due to the emergency nature of the work, which would end in Phase Four; that will entail the repairs of deflected slabs, bearings, piers and pile caps.

    The minister lamented that most of the bridges were about 60 years old and had outlived thier design lifespan, hence the need for constant rehabilitation.

    Umahi, who is a civil engineer, said the Marina Shoreline had deteriorated and was threatening the foundation of some parts of the Blue Rail Line, hence the need for urgent protection which had begun.

    “Marina shoreline is gone,” he said.

    The minister warned that henceforth a 10-year maintenance responsibility would be attached to projects for contractors to bear repair costs within the period if the road failed.

    He added that contractors who constructed roads that failed within two years risked jail term in line with global practices to curb shoddy constructions.

    TNG recalls the Third Mainland Bridge was earlier closed for 24 hours repairs from midnight on October 21 to midnight October 22 for emergency resurfacing of some bad portions.

  • Third Mainland Bridge repairs completed – FG

    Third Mainland Bridge repairs completed – FG

    The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, on Sunday, expressed satisfaction with repairs done on the Third Mainland Bridge, assuring motorists of a smooth ride till the commencement of comprehensive rehabilitation in January 2024.

    Kesha gave the assurance on Sunday during an on-the-spot assessment of the repairs on the bridge.

    Recall that the controller had, on Thursday, announced a 24-hour closure of the bridge to allow for repairs of some critical portions.

    According to reports, the closure took effect from midnight of Saturday till midnight of Sunday (today) to reduce the hardship being faced by motorists.

    During the inspection, the controller stopped on various portions between Iyana-Oworo and Adeniji-Adele where remedial repairs had been done on a 9.7-kilometre stretch of the Lagos Island in-bound lane.

    She stated that the construction done was just palliative works to keep the highway in good condition pending the comprehensive rehabilitation scheduled for January 2024.

    “This repair is going to last beyond January; we don’t intend to do any work that will last only one or two months. Even by January, the road will still be good,” she said.

    Kesha said that some of the components needed for the comprehensive rehabilitation works were being imported for the emergency repairs to begin.

    She added that what the Federal Ministry of Works had been doing before now was attending to failed portions, adding that the comprehensive rehabilitation would involve total removal and replacement of the asphalt surface.

    The controller added that damaged ramps and expansion joints would be replaced, in addition to the painting of the parapet walls and other major repairs.

    According to her, the contract awarded for comprehensive rehabilitation of the bridge in January would last for six months, but would be divided into two segments of three months for each phase.

    Kesha explained that the comprehensive repairs would give the infrastructure a new lease of life, after which the bridge would wear a new look.

    She urged road users to continue to enjoy smooth ride on the highway, adding, however, that they should observe traffic and safety rules on the highway.

    Meanwhile, some road users, who spoke with NAN, thanked President Bola Tinubu for the repairs, but called for more routine maintenance and increased funding for the bridge and other roads in Lagos.

    Mr Adewale Edward, a commercial bus driver who plies Ikeja-CMS/Obalende route, commended the repairs done at the weekend which, he noted, was an off-peak period.

    He, however, called for more regular maintenance and proactive measures to make the bridge pothole-free at all times.

    A trader in Oke Koto, Agege area, Mrs Sadia Saleh, also praised the president for introducing short term repairs that would not impact activities and businesses negatively.

    “Tinubu knows how to grow economy; that’s why he did the repairs after we had finished business on the Island on Saturday, and because people are plenty in Lagos, doing repairs on weekend is better.

    “I like the one-day repair; government should be doing it like that at weekends and also at night. May God help our president,” she said.

    Other road users also commended Tinubu and appealed for increased funding for federal road projects in the state.

    The 11.8-kilometre bridge is the longest of the three bridges connecting Lagos Island to the mainland.

    The bridge, which starts from Oworonshoki, linking Apapa-Oshodi expressway and Lagos-Ibadan expressway, ends at the Adeniji-Adele interchange on Lagos Island.

    It was constructed in 1990 and adjudged as the longest bridge in Africa until 1996 when the construction of Oct. 6 Bridge in Cairo, Egypt, was completed.

  • BREAKING: FG to shut Third Mainland Bridge

    BREAKING: FG to shut Third Mainland Bridge

    The Federal Government on Thursday announced closure of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos starting from midnight of Saturday, Oct. 21 to midnight of Sunday Oct. 22 to carry out repairs.

    The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, in a statement, said the government was ready to begin comprehensive rehabilitation works on the bridge starting with repairs of the critical portions.

    Kesha said the federal government wished to inform the motoring public that it was currently working on plans to carry out comprehensive repairs of Third Mainland Bridge.

    “However, in order to alleviate the pains currently being experienced on the bridge, the Ministry would be carrying out palliative works on the most critically failed sections along the Adeniji bound carriageway on Sunday, Oct. 22 preparatory to the comprehensive repair works,” she said.

    She advised motorists to cooperate with the traffic management officials by obeying and observing all diversions as directed for seamless movement.

    “However, motorists are encouraged to use alternative routes where possible during the period of the palliative works as the Adeniji bound of the bridge will be closed to traffic from Saturday, Oct. 21 to Sunday, 22nd 12.00 midnight,” she said.