Minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babatunde Fashola, has announced that Third Mainland Bridge is now reopened, following the swift conclusion of repairs ahead of deadline.
“Third mainland bridge rehab completed. Fully opens to traffic at 12:00 noon today. Thank you all for your patience. Drive safely,” the Minister tweeted earlier today.
The repairs which comprised of lane markings and finishing touches, was expected to last till Sunday morning.
Fashola had earlier explained that some of the repairs being concluded were not visible because they were underwater, adding that some diversion angles created had to be rebuilt within 48 to 72 hours.
The minister said that some time was lost on the project during the #EndSARS protests in Lagos, adding that the bridge was now safer and better for use, assuring motorists of a smooth driving experience.
The Third Mainland Bridge, which was going through a series of repairs, was partially shut on July 24, 2020, for another round of rehabilitation.
The repairs, expected to last six months, were extended from January to February because of the #EndSARS protests.
The construction was initially divided into two phases of three months on each carriageway, starting with the Oworonsoki-bound carriageway whose completion dragged to four months.
Traffic was partially diverted on a stretch of 3.5km where construction was on-going between Adeniji Adele Ramp and Ebute Meta, while different time belts were allotted for traffic diversions on the bridge.
The 11.8km bridge is the longest of the three bridges linking Lagos Island and the Mainland.
The bridge starts from Oworonshoki, which is linked to the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway and the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and ends at the Adeniji Adele Interchange on Lagos Island.
Constructed in 1990, the bridge was the longest in Africa; until 1996 when the Oct. 6 Bridge in Cairo was completed.
