LAGOS STATE UNVEILS ALTERNATIVE ROUTE PLAN

By: Agosu Omoleye

The federal and Lagos state governments have announced a traffic management plan for the partial closure of the Third Mainland Bridge which is scheduled to last for six months.

While speaking at a joint media briefing on Tuesday.

Kayode Popoola, the federal controller of works in Lagos, said the routine maintenance of the bridge will be carried out from July 24 to January 24, 2021.

Popoola said the repairs will be done in two phases. He said the first phase of the diversion will be on the Oworonshoki-bound lane of the bridge of which repairs will last for three months.

He said within that period, motorists will use the Lagos Island-bound lane and the alternative routes provided.

According to the federal controller, the first phase will be for morning traffic from 12am to 1pm from Oworonshoki to Lagos Island on the Lagos Island-bound lane.

He said the phase two of the diversion for the repairs of the Lagos Island-bound lane of the Third Mainland Bridge will be for morning traffic from 12am to 1pm from Oworonsoki to Lagos Island on the Oworonsoki-bound lane.

Afternoon traffic from 1pm to 12am will be from Lagos Island to Oworonsoki on the Oworonsoki-bound lane.

He said the government is aware of the inconveniences the maintenance of the bridge may cause motorists, but added that the appropriate agencies for traffic control will be in place to direct traffic movement in the affected areas.

“This will be in place for three months for repairs of the Oworonshoki bound lane,” he said.

“Motorists are advised to also ply these alternative routes: First, from Carter Bridge through Iddo through Oyingbo to join Adekunle ramp inward Oworonsoki. Secondly, from Ijora Olopa through Western Avenue to Ikorodu Road.

“Traffic control will be in place to direct and help traffic movement. We regret the inconveniences this might cause the motorists.”

On his part, Fredrick Oladeinde, Lagos commissioner for transportation, said priority will be given to those driving from Mainland to the Island in the morning and afternoon to use the Third Mainland Bridge while those driving against traffic will use the alternative routes.

Oladeinde assured motorists that Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) will work with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in all the alternative routes to ensure a smooth journey during the partial closure.

To reduce the number of vehicles on the road during the partial closure of the bridge, he advised that motorists who do not have a genuine reason to be on the road should stay at home.

He also said the Vehicle Inspection Service had started checking trucks for roadworthiness and those not fit will be confiscated.

“If you don’t have to travel, I will advise that you stay at home so that we can minimise the number of vehicles on the road,” Oladeinde said.

“If you can work at home, please do; but if you can’t, we will ensure we will be on the road for you to get to your destination as quickly as possible.”

The commissioner also advised residents to use alternative transport such as ferries, saying the Lagos Ferry Services will increase the number of fleets in the morning for people from Ikorodu and Mile 2.

Aramide Adeyoye, special adviser to Lagos governor on works and infrastructure, promised that the state will rehabilitate access routes for use.

She listed roads to receive urgent attention to include Herbert Macaulay Way and Iddo/Oyingbo roads, saying the state government has commenced necessary preparatory work on all the alternative routes to make them motorable for commuters.