See Ongoing Repair Works On Third Mainland Bridge In Lagos, Week 4 (LIVE Photos)

The Third Mainland Bridge has been undergoing repairs since July 24th when it was officially closed by the federal government for repair works.

According to an update on week 4 of The 3rd mainland bridge repairs, Blasting of the 2nd expansion unit to remove the old joints has commenced. This is using the hydro demolition robot, the blasting is done with water to prevent mini cracks and for the easy placement of new joints.

Third Mainland Bridge is the longest of three bridges connecting Lagos Island to the mainland, the other are the Eko and Carter bridges. It was the longest bridge in Africa until 1996 when the 6th October Bridge located in Cairo was completed. The bridge starts from Oworonshoki which is linked to the Apapa-Oshodi expressway and Lagos-Ibadan expressway and ends at the Adeniji Adele Interchange on Lagos Island.

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There is also a link midway through the bridge that leads to Herbert Macaulay Way, Yaba. The bridge was built by Julius Berger Nigeria PLC. The phase one of the projects was commissioned by President Shehu Shagari in 1980 and completed by President Ibrahim Babangida in 1990; it measures about 11.8 km in length.

By 2006, Many commuters had reported that the Third Mainland Bridge was vibrating noticeably, indicating that it needed urgent attention. As a result, remedial work was commenced on the portions of the bridge at different times, leading to a partial closure of the bridge at different times. As at January 2013, this work was completed.

These are live images from the joint reconstruction on the bridge in Lagos.

Recently, there have been rumours of cracks on the bridge. This, however, was denied by authorities. The eight-lane bridge experienced a new look during the last repairing exercise, painting the bridge guide with the colour of Nigeria green, white, green, and also general painting was carried out for a new look. The repair works on the bridge has been completed and was opened on 30 October 2012.

The Third Mainland Bridge has very high vehicular traffic on weekdays, as many residents commute to and from the Lagos Mainland to the Island which is the commercial hub of Lagos State. Residents in Ikeja, Agboyi-Ketu, Ikorodu, Isheri, Oworonshoki, Gbagada, Yaba, Maryland and Oshodi. The Third Mainland Bridge is an essential part of Lagos’ daily commuting, and as such requires to be constantly renovated. It has also come to be a major Lagos icon, offering different views of Lagos – the Lagos Lagoon, the University of Lagos Waterfront and Makoko, a shantytown built on the Lagos Lagoon.

On July 6 2020, it was announced that the bridge will be closed for six months due to repairs.

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