We’ll reopen Third Mainland Bridge February 15 – Fashola

Minister of Works and housing, Babatunde Fashola, has said the Federal Government will reopen the Third Mainland Bridge to traffic on February 15.

He stated this during an inspection of the bridge of ongoing rehabilitation work and the planned diversion shifts on the bridge which will take effect from Friday, January 15 to February 13.

The minister expressed hope that work on the bridge would be completed, and reopened to traffic on February 15 to enable the government to begin work on the Falomo Bridge.

He explained that work on the Falomo Bridge was suspended to avert unbearable gridlock that could arise as a result of partial closure of two major bridges in Lagos for repair work.

Fashola said, “On Third Mainland Bridge, most of our work is almost done. We lost two weeks during the civil protest and our completion date earlier was towards the end of January; that has slipped.

“We are hoping that by 15th of February we should be done and the bridge reopened to the public.

“That is one of the reasons why I also came to see how far and when this bridge will be opened to the public because this is delaying our work on Falomo Bridge.

“We have done some work on Falomo Bridge; we are going to close Falomo Bridge as soon as this is done so that we can also replace the expansion joints there.

“All the other preliminary work has been done there; but we left it in order to reduce the inconvenience to commuters in and around Lagos. So, the Eko Bridge that was closed is opened now. This one (Third Mainland Bridge) is going to be opened by February 15.’’

The minister added that the closure of the Falomo Bridge would happen in consultation with the Lagos State Government.

While inspecting the rehabilitated Obalende Bridge damaged by tanker fire, Fashola commended Buildwell Plants and Equipment Industries Ltd, contractors that handled repairs for doing a good job.