The police in Lagos State have drafted 7, 000 personnel for a 24-hour three-month-special duty to control and monitor traffic and provide security during the repair works on the Third Mainland Bridge, which will commence on Saturday (today) and last for two months.
Saturday Punch learnt on Friday that apart from the manpower from the police, other security agencies such as the Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Traffic Management Agency and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps were expected to contribute personnel.
The spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command, Mr. Frank Mba, who confirmed the police preparedness, said the diversion had been divided into five routes.
He said, �Vehicles from Alapere, Ketu, Ogudu, Mile 12, Shangisha, Isheri, Ojodu Berger will be diverted at Oworonsoki/ Ifako-Gbagada intersection to join Ikorodu Road through Anthony.
�Those from Obanikoro, Palmgroove, Onipanu, Fadeyi, Jibowu, Sabo, Yaba and Ebute Meta, will go to the island through Oyingbo to join Carter Bridge. Vehicles from Ikorodu, Imota, Ipakodo, Ijede will follow Epe/Ajah expressway to their designations on the island.
�Vehicles from the island to the mainland will either use Eko/Carter Bridge to access Western Avenue to Ikorodu Road/Agege Motor Road or Murtala Muhammed Way/ Herbert Macaulay Way to Ikorodu Road/Agege Motor Road.
�Vehicles going to Ikorodu and Epe will use Lekki-Ajah Expressway to their destinations.�
He said the police would work day and night and all traffic teams would be headed by at least a police inspector. Saturday Punch also gathered that the police would not allow driving on the wrong side of traffic. Also, MOPOL 20, 22, and 49 have been placed on red alert and instructed them to keep their APCs in top shape.
Also, street traders will be cleared from all the routes to ensure free flow of traffic.