There was no hitch on the Third Mainland Bridge on Saturday during a traffic diversion test-run.
The exercise was a warm-up ahead of the partial closure of the bridge next Saturday for rehabilitation.
The test-run was carried out on Ikorodu Road, Western Avenue (now Funsho Williams Avenue), Herbert Macaulay Way and the Adekunle-Ebute Metta axis.
The bridge was partially closed at the Adekunle exit and the Lagos in-bound traffic diverted to the Lagos out-bound carriageway. The diversion ended at the Adeniji-Adele exit where the traffic resumed its normal course during the envi
here was no hitch on the Third Mainland Bridge on Saturday during a traffic diversion test-run.
The exercise was a warm-up ahead of the partial closure of the bridge next Saturday for rehabilitation.
The test-run was carried out on Ikorodu Road, Western Avenue (now Funsho Williams Avenue), Herbert Macaulay Way and the Adekunle-Ebute Metta axis.
The bridge was partially closed at the Adekunle exit and the Lagos in-bound traffic diverted to the Lagos out-bound carriageway. The diversion ended at the Adeniji-Adele exit where the traffic resumed its normal course during the environmental sanitation.
In the afternoon, the Adeniji-Adele axis was closed for traffic to move freely out of Lagos.
Motorists enjoyed a smooth ride to the Island, despite the diversion.
Apparently because it was a weekend there were few vehicles on the road. However, traffic was hitch-free.
Motorists moved freely as officials of the Federal and Lagos State governments controlled traffic.
The motorists and officials expressed delight at the flow of traffic.
The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, Mr Babatunde Ekunsumi said: “We just had a test-run of traffic during the diversion. It worked out as we envisaged. The gangway we have put in place was also good except where we need to do a little amendment at the Adeniji-Adele axis. Everyone was happy with the level of achievement recorded.”
The special assistant to the Lagos State Governor, Mr Kayode Opeifa, said the exercise was necessary to ensure that all is well before August 2, adding: “That is why we are here, to see how it is going to work for both government and private vehicles.”
The sector commander, Lagos State, Federal Road Safety Commission, Mr Kayode Olagunju, reiterated the commission�s readiness to ensure that traffic regulations were obeyed.
According to him, motorists found driving against traffic would be punished.
Also present were the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and the traffic unit of the Police.
During the partial closure of the bridge on Saturday, motorists would be encouraged to use three alternative routes: Ebute Metta �Herbert Macaulay-Oyingbo-Iddo to Lagos, Oworonsoki-Anthony Oke-Ikorodu Road/Western Avenue to Lagos and Ojota-Ikorodu Road/Western Avenue to Lagos.
A motorist, Mr Augustus Chimbiko, said the rehabilitation was a welcome development, adding: “I have often prayed for the rehabilitation of that bridge. Thank God it is now being done”
Another motorist, Mr Babatunde Ojo, expressed the relief of many others, saying: “At least, we would no longer drive with the fear that the bridge might collapse. It is quite timely.”
A Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) ticketing official Edu Olayiwola, told The Nation that there was special coordination by LASTMA to ensure free-flow of traffic.
“The traffic has been going on smoothly since the end of the environmental sanitation. There is no jam. The LASTMA men are on ground. To me, there is seriousness in the way they have been carrying out their duty. Today is special,” said Olayiwola
LASTMA officials and a policeman controlling the traffic declined comments on the test-run.
A LASTMA official, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, told The Nation that commuters had a smooth journey all through the exercise.
He said the partial closure of the bridge did not have negative impact on traffic.
“As you see, it has not affected the traffic on this route. Maybe because today is environmental sanitation and weekend. We do not know what will happen during week days,” he said.
A commercial driver, Mr. Wale Obasa though not aware of the development because he plies Mushin-Apongbon-CMS, noted that the road was free of traffic jam.
The bridge, considered the longest in Africa, was constructed in 1990. It was commissioned by former military president Gen. Ibrahim Babangida.
Earlier, at a stakeholders meeting, an official of Exxon Mobil, Mr Julia Calvin, said a helicopter would be provided to gather information from the bridge to major media houses for onward transmission to the public daily.
He said from investigations, businesses in Lagos would be cut by over 35 per cent.
To manage the situation, Calvin said, the business community came together to outline ways of managing the traffic, to minimise its effect on businesses.
He called on the government to work on repairing alternative routes to ease the traffic burden on the bridge during its rehabilitation.