Contractor for Marine Bridge project, Buildwell Equipment Nig. Ltd, has stated that the completion date for the project is April 2021. This is coming as the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing announced the resumption of emergency repair on roads and bridges in the State.
At a recent tour, Federal Controller of Works, Lagos State, Engr. Joshua Olukayode Popoola, said the scope of work for the emergency repair of the Marine Bridge includes; the replacement of 72 expansion joints and the rubber; replacement of the bearing; skin repairs of the pier; and jacketing.
He added that the contractors were mobilised to site in January but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many left the site, leaving a few and work was skeletal, till they resumed again in May.
Speaking on its mode of operation, project manager for the repairs, Engr. Ghassan Kaadi stated that they had done 10 per cent of the job, as completion date of the project is April 2021.
“Currently, we work in sections of 200m at once. One section of the road is in use, and as soon as that is finished, we open this and commence work on the other section.”
Work has however resumed at four sections of Apapa – Liverpool, Creek Road, Tin Can, and Coconut. Poopola noted that the scope of work in Apapa is the pulverization of the existing asphaltic concrete, adding of the stone base before laying to attain reinforced concrete pavement.
“The thickness is about 200mm, which is about eight inches. This will last longer than the regular asphaltic concrete. The busy nature of Apapa-Oshodi road, and the load it carries prompted the change in design to continuous reinforced concrete pavement, to withstand the heavy load involved.”
He concluded that the construction has impacted the economy by creating about 600 direct jobs for Engineers, Surveyors, Quantity Surveyors and Artisans working, and another 1000 indirect jobs for food vendors, suppliers of cement and reinforcements.