The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Works, Power and Housing has assured members of the public that the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos does not pose a threat to motorists, and is for to use. This reaffirmation became necessary after a video clip showing a gap in the expansion joint of the bridge went viral online. The dilapidated area captured in the video gave the impression that the bridge was a dead trap.
The ministry revealed that the said expansion joint on the bridge has been marked for repairs to be carried out on the bridge soon.
Assuring members of the public of their safety, the ministry said that its consultants and engineers have ascertained the bridge’s safety for use.
“Commuters and Lagos residents will recall that the Third Mainland Bridge was shut down for a three-day ‘Investigative Maintenance’ in August 2018. Tests done on the expansion joints then – static and dynamic load tests – were to check functionality. A number of expansion joints were identified for replacement then.
In March this year, underwater confirmatory tests preceding the repair works to be done on the bridge were carried out on the piles to determine if there is further deterioration or not on the piles from that done in 2013.”
A gap in the expansion joint of the bridge
According to the ministry, tests carried out on the bridge in preparation for the commencement of comprehensive maintenance indicated that the bridge was intact.
“The expansion joints to be replaced are part of a regular bridge maintenance program that has been neglected for decades which the President Muhammadu Buhari administration is now addressing frontally on many bridges nationwide.
Such maintenance works include resurfacing of the bridge, along with several others, which this administration is also undertaking as the bridge users will attest to a better driving surface.”
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