The Third Mainland Bridge has been reopened by the Federal Government, one month after it was closed for maintenance work.
“We are pleased to announce that parts of the Third Mainland Bridge which were closed last month will reopen today 21st December, 2023 by 6 pm,” the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi said in a Thursday statement.
“Following essential maintenance, the entire bridge is now fully accessible to the public, ensuring smoother connectivity and safe commuting,” the commissioner added.
He expressed appreciation to Nigerians for their patience during the temporary closure, acknowledging the inconvenience it may have caused. Osiyemi emphasized that the reopening underscores the government’s dedication to maintaining infrastructure and ensuring public safety.
The decision to reopen comes more than a month after the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Works, announced the closure of two ramps on the Third Mainland Bridge for repairs. The November 1 announcement by the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Engr. (Mrs.) O. I. Kesha, specified that repair work would commence simultaneously on the ramps connecting Oworoshoki to Adekunle and Lagos-Island (Adeniji Adele) to Adekunle.
In light of the maintenance work, motorists were advised to collaborate with traffic management officials by adhering to diversions and utilizing alternative routes.
The Third Mainland Bridge, Africa’s second-largest, spans almost 12 kilometers (7.5 miles), connecting Lagos Island, the city’s commercial hub, to the mainland, where the majority of the population resides. Constructed in 1990, it stands as a vital component of Nigeria’s economic infrastructure.