LASG yet to release details of alternative routes ahead of Wednesday’s closure of TMB
Lagos motorists have called for early release of temporary traffic diversion in view of the planned closure of Third Mainland Bridge from August 23 to midnight of August 26 to enable execution of “investigative maintenance test”.
Motorists who barred their minds on the closure announcement told our correspondents on Monday that early release of the alternative routes mainly for vehicles coming from Oworonshoki, 7Up, Berger and environs to Island on a daily basis is very important.
Business Hilights recalls that in a statement issued Sunday by the Lagos State Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Ade Akinsanya, did not give any hint on alternative route and management within the test period.
Rather, he added that all traffic management agencies including the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Police, among others, have been mandated to ensure smooth flow of traffic on all the other alternative roads and traffic corridors across the metropolis to ensure free flow of traffic.
While noting that the decision for the four-day closure was taken after due consultation with the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing, he disclosed that the four-day closure will enable the contractors assess the true state of the bridge after which works would commence by the end of the year or early in 2019.
The Federal Government had earlier announced plans to shut the bridge in July but the decision was shelved after consultation with the state government and wide deliberations with other stakeholders, who expressed concern about the indiscriminate parking of articulated vehicles on other alternative routes, which would have adversely affected traffic in the city.
The commissioner however, revealed that “The Third Mainland Bridge which was opened about 30 years ago by the then military government has had haphazard maintenance and repairs in the past which the present Federal Government is committed to correct by carrying out proper and continuous maintenance and repairs on it”.
Akinsanya appealed for the cooperation, support and understanding of all motorists and residents, advising them to minimize non-essential travel and movements during the four-day closure.
