Lagos State, Nigeria – In preparation for the impending closure of the Iyana Oworonshoki-Adeniji Adele bound section of the Third Mainland Bridge starting on Tuesday, January 9, the Lagos State government has issued a travel advisory on Thursday to facilitate smoother commuting and ensure minimal disruption for residents.
Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the Commissioner for Transportation, disclosed that the closure is part of the ongoing maintenance work initiated in November 2023, primarily focusing on the repair of ramps. The remaining segments of the bridge will also undergo phased repairs.
To alleviate the impact on residents, Mr. Osiyemi outlined the schedule, stating, “From 12 a.m. to 12 noon, the bridge will be open for Mainland Inbound Island travels, while those intending to travel from the Island to the Mainland are advised to use Eko Bridge. Conversely, from 12 noon to 12 a.m., motorists will be able to access the bridge from the Island to the Mainland, and those from the Mainland heading towards the Island will have to use Eko Bridge.”
The timings have been strategically chosen to align with peak traffic periods and minimize travel stress, as explained by the Commissioner. He emphasized the importance of cooperation from road users with the state’s traffic management officials throughout the repair duration.
The Federal Government had previously announced plans to close a section of the bridge in two phases, each lasting six weeks, starting from the second week of 2024. Olukorede Kesha, the Federal Controller of Works, Lagos State, clarified that the initial phase of closure would affect the Lagos Island-bound carriageway of the bridge, commencing at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.
Alternative routes and links were recommended for motorists during the closure, including Ojota-Ikorodu Road-Funsho Williams Avenue-Eko Bridge-Apogbon-CMS and Gbagada-Anthony-Ikorodu Road-Funsho Williams-Eko Bridge-Apogbon-CMS.
Motorists were urged to cooperate with deployed traffic management officials to ensure smooth movements and minimize discomfort during the repair period. The 11.8 km Third Mainland Bridge, having undergone multiple rehabilitations recently, is set for another round of crucial repairs.
