FG to Rehabilitate Sections of Third Mainland Bridge with N21.047bn

Bennett Oghifo

The federal government is rehabilitating some sections of the Third Mainland Bridge at the cost of N21.047 billion.

The rehabilitation was flagged off yesterday, by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, who said, “We intend to start with the four ramps to the bridge where works have already commenced on 6th November, 2023, and will be completed on or before 13th December, 2023. The works on the major carriageway of the bridge will commence 15th January, 2024.”

 Umahi said the previous work on the bridge was not comprehensive, adding that this work would improve the stability of the bridge and that there was still work to be done on that bridge.

He said the contractor handling the bridge is the Chinese company, Messrs CCECC Nigeria Ltd and that they had been mandated to work on the upper deck.

He said the ministry was presently carrying out investigations as well as the design of the piles, pile caps, piles as well as the deflected deck slab, which will lead to the award of a contract for the restoration of the substructure elements of the bridge at a later time.

The scope of works to be covered by this contract indudes: Milling of the existing asphaltic surface; provision of asphaltic concrete wearing course on the carriageway across the entire bridge length and ramps to a compacted thickness of 50mm;

removal and replacement of worn-out expansion joints on the carriageway; removal of all existing guard rails and installation of new ones; painting of guardrails, kerb surface and concrete barriers;

Lane marking using thermoplastic material; and

Installation of solar powered street lights for proper illumination.

The project when completed would ameliorate the sufferings of commuters and all road users who ply the bridge with a lot of discomfort.

 “The resurfaced deck will ensure a smooth riding surface that will reduce the spate of accidents and reduce wear and tear of vehicles; Solar powered street lights will ensure proper illumination of the entire stretch of the bridge for safety, security and aesthetics.

“Painting of the kerbs and concrete barriers will give the bridge a new aesthetic look, cause only minimal discomfort to road users. In this regard, the contractor has been directed to also work at night to ensure that the project is delivered.

“Our intention is to deliver this project in a systematic manner that will within the shortest possible time. Also, a comprehensive traffic management plan has been put in place by the Federal Ministry of Works working jointly with Lagos State Officials,” he added.