The Federal Government has vehemently debunked rumors that the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos is trembling or compromised, describing the rumours as nasty and unfounded. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the erroneous information, which went viral on Social Media platforms like Facebook and WhatsApp, claimed that part of the bridge had opened up and was vibrating, causing alarm among residents. Speaking on the matter, Olukorede Kesha, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, slammed the allegations as baseless. During a tour of the bridge with journalists, she assured the people that the bridge is safe and in good condition.
She clarified that the rumors were the product of malicious individuals seeking to sow discord and undermine public trust in the government’s ability to manage its infrastructure. Kesha clarified that she and the reporters thoroughly examined the entire 11-kilometer section of the bridge during the tour. “We drove all the way across the bridge and back, and nothing was wrong,” she remarked. She reiterated the government’s guarantee that the bridge’s structural integrity remain sound, noting that the same bridge is utilized every day by ministry personnel, Lagos residents, numerous other commuters,
Govt commitment to routine maintenance and rehabilitation.
Kesha reaffirmed the bridge’s safety and urged the people to ignore the false information and keep using it fearlessly. She emphasized the significance of responsible communication to prevent needless panic and urged Nigerians to confirm such allegations through official channels before making conclusions. The Third Mainland Bridge, which connects Lagos Island to the mainland, is a critical artery for the city’s transportation network. With millions of vehicles traversing it daily, its safety is a matter of national importance.
So far, the Federal Government has upheld its commitment to routine inspection and maintenance, after completing significant repairs in recent years to guarantee the bridge’s durability. Opened in 1990, it was initially the longest bridge in Africa until the 6th October Bridge in Cairo surpassed it. Today, it remains the longest bridge in Nigeria, measuring approximately 11.8 kilometers (7.3 miles) in length. Since it was commissioned, the Third Mainland Bridge, which connects Lagos Island to the mainland, has gone through multiple phases of rehabilitation.
Inspection and maintenance of the bridge over the years.
As one of Nigeria’s most critical infrastructures, it serves millions of commuters every day, making its regular inspection and maintenance a top priority for the Federal Government. In November 2023, the federal government implemented a three-month rehabilitation of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos. At the time, the bridge was just resurfaced, railings were replaced, and solar-powered lights, CCTV cameras were installed and was partially closed for a certain timeframe. This phase of maintenance of the Third Mainland Bridge was the first phase meant to secure the integrity as well aesthetics of the upper deck components of the bridge.
After approximately seven weeks of intensive repairs, the Third Mainland Bridge was fully reopened on April 4, 2024. Before the 2023 closure, the bridge underwent notable rehabilitation in 2020 when it was shut down for six months to carry out major repairs. During this period, the Federal Government worked on fixing damaged expansion joints, repairing structural components, and strengthening the bridge’s overall stability. The repair was carried out in two phases to minimize disruption, allowing partial access to commuters during the work.
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Rehabilitation of expansion joints was carried out in 2012 and Minor repairs and inspections were also carried out earlier in 2008. The bridge’s maintenance has always been challenging due to its importance in Lagos’ transportation network. Temporary closures for rehabilitation have caused significant disruptions to traffic, but these measures have been necessary to safeguard the structure and the lives of its users. The Federal Government has consistently assured the public of its commitment to maintaining the bridge’s integrity and extending its lifespan through continuous monitoring and repairs.