Africa’s second longest bridge, Third Mainland Bridge will be closing by midnight Friday July 24 to enable the government perform repairs to prevent a total breakdown of the infrastructure.
Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria known for traffic gridlock will on Friday have a section of its road closed.
The bridge which was commissioned by Ibrahim Babangida in 1990 was Africa’s longest bridge until Cairo’s 6th October bridge was commissioned in Egypt. Cairo’s bridge which was 20.5km surpassed 10.5km Third Mainland Bridge, to clinch the position of Africa’s longest bridge.
The last time the bridge was closed was in 2008. It remained shut as it underwent investigative repairs for three days.
The closure of the 10.5km bridge which is a necessary evil will affect the movement of mainland residents who already find it hectic commuting to the island on weekdays.
They have taken to Twitter to express their concerns as the bridge closes midnight for the next six months.
@segalink
Third mainland bridge closure no doubt will increase the pressure on the alternative routes and add more to the logistic woes of Lagosians. Already oppression by @PoliceNG even before the 10pm curfew is being recorded & this will get worse. The Curfew MUST be lifted for ease. 🚔
@Royal__Vee
Its only right that the curfew is lifted, because many Lagosians will most likely explore the option of waiting out the traffic at their respective work places until late night before they journey home.
@_assumpta_
Third Mainland Bridge is closing this Friday lol OK o.
To my island friends, Till we meet again to never depart ✌️
@DammyTheOG
As The Lagos State Government Closes The Third Mainland Bridge Today,
I Urge Lagosians To Learn How To Trek You Will Need It Now More Than Ever.🤣🤣🤣
@INdigoNG20
With all due respect @jidesanwoolu, the alternative routes are in shambles. Alaka inward Eko Bridge is still closed to traffic. The diversion through Costain is under construction & usually very heavy & trucks ridden. Carter Bridge inwards Nnamdi Azikiwe is littered with Yellow buses. 1/2
It’s a perpetual traffic jam on that axis. Carter Bridge inward Outer Marina is a death trap thru Ebute-Ero – Leventis B/S. The crater there is very deep & flooded so vehicles abstain 4m following that road. You should’ve done more b4 this closure. Residents will suffer unduly.