The Lagos State Government on Saturday suspended its earlier plans to partially shut down the Marine Bridge for five months for repair following the rising cases of coronavirus in the state.
It would be recalled that the Public Affairs Unit of the state Ministry of Transportation had on Friday announced the closure of the Marine Bridge, partially between 8.00 p.m and 8.00 a.m daily from March 28 to August 15 for repair.
According to a statement released by the Ministry, the closure would allow the construction works by the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to replace the worn-out Elastomeric Bearing and expand the metallic joints on the bridge. Other repair work would include construction of drain gully. Jacketing, skin repairs of the piers and laying of asphalt.
It said that the repair works meant to take duration of 20 weeks, would be done in two phases of 10 weeks each to ease traffic movements.
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Announcing the suspension of the closure of the bridge on Saturday in a statement, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, said that the repair work on the bridge would be suspended until further notice.
Oladeinde said that the decision was based on the focus of the government on ways to effectively tackle the coronavirus pandemic, which has been on a rapid increase in the state
According to him, the suspension has also become imperative because of the need to evoke the social distancing strategy, especially in the construction sector, to further curb the spread of the virus. He said the government will disclose the new date for the repairs at the appropriate time.
The commissioner said, “A new date for the planned repair works of the bridge shall be communicated in due course. Lagos State government is, however, advising Lagosians to still stay at home and practice social distancing, unless the trip is really essential.”
