Lagos third mainland bridge to be reopened ‘weekend’, says Minister

The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, has disclosed that the third mainland bridge in Lagos will be reopened this weekend, but was not specific which day of the weekend it will be effected.

 Penpushing reports that, Fashola gave the assurance during a radio phone-in programme Thursday, adding that the major works have now been finished, stressing that the lane markings and finishing touches would be done within the next 48 to 72 hours,

“I can tell you now that this weekend, it will be opened definitely; my directors are still in Lagos; the major works have now been finished, so let me say that again by way of information’, Fashola stated.

“Definitely this weekend it will be reopened. I will announce the date toward Friday and the reason why I am holding back the exact date is that we are government.Any time we say something, people must reliably be able to plan their lives around what we say,’’ he said.

Penpushing further reports that, the Minister explained that the total shutdown of the bridge to happen at midnight on Friday would be the last before the total reopening,and this was a day after the Lagos State government announced that the bridge would be shut between midnight Friday and midnight Saturday to enable contractors move the equipment used during the rehabilitation process of the bridge.

“The major works have now been finished, the piles, all the joints, all the bearings, everything is done. The last miles now are the works which were not in the contract but we insisted must be done. We are asphalting some of the places on the pavement that have been affected by erosion; some of the lane markings have worn away so we want to do that,’’ he said.

The Minister explained that some of the repairs being concluded were not visible because they were underwater; noting that some diversion angles created had to be rebuilt within 48 to 72 hours.

Penpushing also reports that Fashola explained that some time was lost on the project during the protests against police brutality in Lagos, stating that the bridge was now safer and better for use, assuring motorists of a smooth driving experience.

The Minister encouraged Nigerians to visit the ministry’s Twitter handle to get details of construction activities carried out so far on the bridge which was constructed in 1990, and was the longest in Africa; until 1996 when the Oct. 6Bridge in Cairo was completed.

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