Bisola David
The Federal Government announced an underwater inspection of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos in preparation for an emergency repair closure of the bridge.
The Times reported that the federal government would resurface the Third Mainland Bridge, according to the Minister of Works, Mr. David Umahi, who announced this on Wednesday during the second day of his tour of the current road projects in Lagos and Ogun State.
According to him, N60 billion has already been authorized for the top and below repairs.
A boat was launched from the Ebute Ero Jetty by Umahi, a group of engineers, and top federal Ministry of Works officials to view bridge structural components on the Lagoon.
The boat transported Umahi, a civil engineer, and his team to survey the Third Mainland Bridge, Carter Bridge, and Eko Bridge, the oldest of the three bridges connecting the mainland of Lagos to the island of Lagos.
The Third Mainland Bridge’s top was also examined by the minister who provided technical information about the damage being done to various underwater structural members of all the bridges and the necessity of immediate action to rescue them.
The minister stated that the three bridges connecting the mainland and the Island’s structural stability was a worry for the government.
Due to the severity of the deterioration, he announced preparations for yet another round of urgent repairs to the Third Mainland Bridge.
To minimize the impact on motorists, Umahi announced that a contractor would soon be sent to the location and work on top of the Third Mainland Bridge between midnight and four in the morning.
He promised to produce a thorough report on all the bridges in Lagos, along with a recommendation for security measures and monitoring to deter vandalism.
The plan would be brought to the Federal Executive Council for consideration within 30 days, the minister promised, via a consultant.
The Minister was pleased with the project after inspecting the Ikorodu-Sagamu dual highway that connects the states of Lagos and Ogun. Umahi stated that the 30.5 km Ikorodu-Sagamu Road was approximately 85% complete and that the project’s Ikorodu axis will be rebuilt.
He praised Arab Contractors for adhering to the project’s building standards and the conditions of their contract with the government.
However, Umahi advised the Lagos government to assume maintenance responsibilities while the federal government rehabilitates and converts the 34 km single-lane road to a dual carriageway while viewing the Ikorodu-Itoikin route.
In response to the deterioration of federal roads in Edo State, Umahi stated that the ministry was ready to speed up approval so that the state government could repair damaged areas.
