Lagos Govt. Says Third Mainland Bridge Is Safe For Use

Third Mainland Bridge

The Lagos State Government, yesterday allayed the fears of road users of the Third Mainland Bridge as it was declared safe for public use following apprehension raised in some quarters over the bridge’s condition, but stressed the need for regular maintenance programme by Federal Government.

The Lagos government has therefore appealed to the Federal Government to make good its promise by refunding the N51 billion it spent over the years for the rehabilitation of Federal Roads in the state.

Speaking during the 2013 ministerial briefing on the activities of the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, and to mark the sixth year of Governor Babatunde Fashola’s administration, Commissioner in charge of the ministry, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, said: “Federal Government last year shut the Third Mainland Bridge for about four months, to carry out maintenance works on the bridge.

“The bridge was closed so that the expansion joints could be repaired. It was designed as a county leaver that is why it vibrates when vehicle moves on it. This doesn’t mean the bridge is not safe. It is safe. There is need for Federal Government to visit the bridge and carry out checks on it to ascertain its stability.

“We know that for them to carry out any check, someone will need to go under the water to see if the base of the bridge is stable.

“Therefore, Federal Government needs to put in place a maintenance structure for all its bridges, especially the Third Mainland Bridge, for those public facilities to serve the citizens longer than expected.”