*Engr. (Sen.) David Umahi, Minister for Works, assures motorists and other road users the comprehensive rehabilitation of the 11.8-kilometer Third Mainland Bridge during the three-month period will be without discomfort as the repair works take place only between midnight and 4a.m. as well as during weekends

Isola Moses | 绿帽献妻

Engr. (Sen.) David Umahi, Honourable Minister for Works, has disclosed the proposed comprehensive rehabilitation of the 11.8-kilometer Third Mainland Bridge, in Lagos State, will begin November 1, 2023, for three months.

绿帽献妻 reports Sen. Umahi, an immediate past Governor of Ebonyi State, South-East Nigeria, stated this Saturday, October 28 during an inspection of the under deck, lagoon sections of the Third Mainland Bridge and other bridges the state.

Engr. (Sen.) David Umahi, Honourable Minister for Works

Recall the Third Mainland Bridge was earlier closed for 24-hour “palliative repairs” from midnight October 21 this year to midnight October 22 for emergency resurfacing of some bad portions at the time.

Accompanying the Minister during the inspection tour at the weekend were a team of engineers, Directors of the Federal Ministry of Works and reporters, and he inspected the lagoon sections of the Third Mainland, Carter, Independence, Falomo Bridges, as well as Marina Bridge in Apapa area of the cosmopolitan state.

He particularly, noted that the entire stretch of the Third Mainland Bridge would undergo total resurfacing with minimal discomfort to motorists and other road users, as the repairs would be carried out by midnight during weekends.

Umahi, who is a civil engineer, also stated he embarked on the inspection of the top surface of the bridge Friday before proceeding聽 on inspection of the Lagoon portions of the iconic road infrastructure.

Patching of various sections of the top surface of bridge had led to undulating surfacing, which was not healthy for its safety, hence the need to remove and relay the entire asphaltic covering, said he.

The Minister further explained: “We are going to mill out the excess asphalt and retain only two millimetres.”

He equally said that the proposed maintenance of Third Mainland Bridge, which would last three months, was the first phase meant to secure the integrity as well aesthetics of the upper deck components of the bridge.

According to him, the maintenance of the aesthetics would include replacement of the railings, installation of solar-powered lights and CCTV cameras for optimal security of the bridge.

No discomfort to motorists, other road users during repairs

Umahi, therefore, assured motorists and other road users that the three-month maintenance work would be without discomfort to motorists, as it would take place only between midnight and 4a.m. and during weekends.

The rehabilitation project, he noted, would need more than a contractor due to the emergency nature of the work involved, which would end in Phase Four that will entail the repairs of deflected slabs, bearings, piers and pile caps.

He, nonetheless, lamented that most of the bridges were about 60 years old, and had outlived their design lifespan, hence the need for constant rehabilitation.

Government mulls 10-year maintenance responsibility for project contractors

The Marina Shoreline, for instance, has deteriorated, and is threatening the foundation of some parts of the Blue Rail Line, hence the need for urgent protection which has begun, he stated.

The Minister declared that “Marina shoreline is gone.鈥�

Going forward, Umahi hinted that henceforth a 10-year maintenance responsibility would be attached to projects for contractors to bear repair costs within the period, if the roads fail.

He stressed that contractors who construct roads that fail within two years would risk jail term in line with global practices to curb shoddy constructions.

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