Works Minister David Umahi, on Saturday, said comprehensive rehabilitation of the 11.8-kilometre Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos would begin on November 1 for three months.

The minister said this during an inspection of the under deck, lagoon sections of the Third Mainland Bridge and other bridges.

Mr Umahi, a team of engineers, directors of the Federal Ministry of Works and journalists inspected the lagoon sections of the Third Mainland, Carter, Independence and Falomo bridges.

The minister also inspected the deteriorating Marina shoreline, the failing portions of the Five Cowries Bridge located inside Zone Two Police Headquarters in Onikan, Ijora Bridge and Marina Bridge in Apapa.

He said the entire stretch of the Third Mainland Bridge would undergo total resurfacing with minimal discomfort to road users, and the repairs would be carried out by midnight during the weekend.

Mr Umahi said he inspected the top surface of the bridge on Friday before embarking on an inspection of the Lagoon portions.

The minister explained that patching various sections of the top surface of the bridge had led to undulating surfacing, which was not healthy for its safety, hence the need to remove and relay the entire asphaltic covering.

“We are going to mill out the excess asphalt and retain only two millimetres,” he said.

The minister said the proposed maintenance of Third Mainland Bridge, which would last three months, was the first phase meant to secure the integrity and aesthetics of the upper deck components of the bridge.

He explained that the maintenance of the aesthetics would include replacing the railings and installing solar-powered lights and CCTV cameras for optimal security of the bridge.

Mr Umahi added that more than one contractor would be engaged due to the emergency nature of the work, which would end in phase four, which will entail the repairs of deflected slabs, bearings, piers and pile caps.

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

Mr Umahi said the Marina shoreline had deteriorated and was threatening the foundation of some parts of the Blue Rail Line, hence the need for urgent protection which had begun.

The minister warned that henceforth, a 10-year maintenance responsibility would be attached to projects for contractors to bear repair costs within the period if the road failed.

The Third Mainland Bridge was closed for 24 hours for repairs from midnight on October 21 to midnight on October 22 for emergency resurfacing of some bad portions. 

(NAN)