Third Mainland Bridge partial closure: Lagos pledges alternative routes will remain safer, motorable

• Says January 2021 Deadline For Completion Sacrosanct
Due to the partial closure of Third Mainland Bridge for repairs, Lagos State government has pledged to continually make alternatives routes safer and motorable for ease of movement.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Dr. Frederic Oladeinde, stated this while on tour of the alternative routes, assuring that the state government will do all within its capacity to ensure safer roads and ease of movement for all road users.

He said his ministry would continue to collaborate with the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure and other relevant government agencies to ensure that the alternative routes are always in good condition and motorable throughout the duration of the rehabilitation works and beyond.

Oladeinde, who expressed satisfaction on the status of some of the alternative routes inspected, such as Ikorodu Road, Fadeyi, Jibowu, Yaba, Oyingbo, Iddo and Carter (Idumota) Bridge inward Lagos Island, emphasised that the state government has kept those roads in good shape to reduce the impact of the bridge closure on motorists to the barest minimum.

He noted that despite torrential rains being experienced across the state, most of the alternative routes are still in good condition, saying, “their present status is a confirmation that the rehabilitation works carried out by the state government on the alternative routes was impactful.”

The commissioner stated that the tour was part of activities marking his birthday, stressing that he is appreciative to God for his kindness as well as using him to render good services to humanity towards realising Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s vision for an efficient Multimodal Transport System in the state.

He disclosed that the state government has completed rehabilitation works on Oyingbo/Iddo Terminal, as part of efforts to ensure commercial motorists get an appropriate place to park their vehicles rather than on the road, which impedes free flow of traffic in the axis.

Special Adviser to the State Government on Transportation, Mr. Oluwatoyin Fayinka, stated that the ministry, through LASTMA and other traffic enforcement agencies, would continue to monitor traffic situation on all the alternative routes and give regular traffic advisory to help motorists navigate their way without hindrances.

Others on the tour with the Commissioner included the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mr. Oluseyi Whenu and Director, Transport Operations in the state, Engineer Abdul Afeez Toriola, among others.