The Lagos State Government has, Friday, advised all motorists to use the already repaired alternative routes during the closure of the Third Mainland Bridge from July 24 this year to January next year.
The alternative routes are: Iddo inwards Carter Bridge, Market road inward Herbert Macaulay road, Herbert Macaulay road by Abeokuta street, Herbert Macaulay by Cemetery and Apapa inward Oyingbo.
The state Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde confirmed that the routes have been fixed in a statement issued on Friday.
He assured Motorists that the six months repair works to be embarked on by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing aims to fix the worn out expansion joints on the structure of the bridge.
He adds, “The first phase of the bridge rehabilitation would focus on Oworonshoki inward Lagos Island in the morning with traffic diversion from 12am to 1pm while the Lagos Island inward Oworonshoki will divert traffic in the afternoon from 1pm to 12am.”
He explained the varying options provided for navigation, and advised motorists heading towards Ikeja and Ikorodu road from Osborne Road, Ikoyi in the morning to use Carter Bridge to access Eko Bridge through Ijora Olopa which will lead through Funsho Williams Avenue to Doman Long Bridge to Ikorodu, or use Carter Bridge to Iddo through Oyingbo to Herbert Macaulay to Jibowu and link Ikorodu Road.
Oladeinde, however, charged motorists coming from Victoria Island to use Ozumba Mbadiwe Road to Falomo Bridge through Alfred Rewane to Old Kingsway Road, Osborn to Ilubirin and Carter Bridge.
As a second option for this category of motorists, he advised them to take Bonny Camp to Independence Bridge to Marina Bridge through Apongbon to Eko Bridge, Ijora Olopa, Iddo and Oyingbo.
For afternoon road users inbound Lagos Island, Oladeinde listed: Ojota on Ikorodu road to access Funsho Williams Avenue through Eko Bridge/Apongbon axis or utilize Ikorodu road to access Fadeyi/jibowu/Yaba axis to access Oyingbo-Iddo to Carter Bridge.
Alternatively, the commissioner, stated that motorists can also use Oshodi/Charity through Agege Motor Road to access Cappa to link Ilupeju Bypass or Mushin to get to Town Planning Way to link Ikorodu road or access Moshalasi/Idi-Oro from Mushin to access Funsho Williams avenue and connect Eko Bridge to get to Apongbon or use Empire Road to access Yaba to link Oyingbo-Iddo axis.
“Motorists coming from the International Airport to Lagos are advised to use Oshodi-Oke to get to Town Planning to link Ikorodu road.
“Repair works are ongoing on the remaining routes highlighted for traffic diversions to enhance free traffic flow along the corridor during the rehabilitation works.”
As a way to reduce the high influx of vehicles during the closure, the commissioner cautioned motorists who do not have urgent assignments on the Island to avoid the area from July 24. “Those that must visit the area should consider the use of the dedicated BRT buses to further reduce traffic congestions on the repair corridor”.
He urged the road users to comply with the state’s Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) on the laid down Traffic directions to minimise inconvenience in movement and ensure the smooth and uninterrupted flow of work on the bridge.
While advising residents to use water transportation by linking up with the various jetties in the metropolis for their journeys, he appealed to road users to bear the pains, as the project is aimed at ensuring the safety of the people in an emerging smart city.
