FG to shut Third Mainland Bridge 24 hours for repairs

• 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

The Federal Government on Thursday announced the closure of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos starting from midnight of Saturday, October 21 to midnight of Sunday, October 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 the 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.

Meanwhile, the government said it would soon assemble all relevant stakeholders in building and construction sector to test the integrity of all major bridges and buildings across the country.

The minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Chief Uche Nnaji stated this on Wednesday, during a facility visit of the Abuja office of the Nigerian Building and Road Research Institute (NBRRI) in Abuja.

He said the exercise became necessary as one of the strategies to addressing the growing menace of building and bridge collapse across the country.

“NIBRRI is a strategic agency in our national pursuit of innovation, sustainable developments, and infrastructure excellence.

“NBRRI, as one of the foremost agencies in the Ministry, presents enormous promise for the success of the renewed hope agenda of our dear President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, notably in the areas of infrastructure, wealth creation, employment generation, and enhancing the quality of life for all Nigerians.

“This maiden visit offers me a remarkable opportunity to witness firsthand the groundbreaking work within these walls.

“The collapse of buildings and bridges is not merely a matter of structural failure; it is a grave social, economic, and safety concern that demands our immediate and unwavering attention.

“We shall soon reach out to and partner with other stakeholders and relevant professional bodies, particularly in engineering, for the integrity testing of all major bridges and buildings across the country.”