About N6.28billion has been approved by the Federal Government for the surface maintenance of the popular Third Mainland Bridge, in Lagos State.
Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, disclosed this while briefing newsmen on Wednesday, after the weekly Federal Executive Council, FEC meeting in Abuja.
Fashola noted that the 24-month repair will cover the 11 kilometers bridge, including interchanges, ramps, and critical links.
The former Lagos State governor said the move aligns with Executive Order 11 signed by President, Muhammadu Buhari, in April 2022, which gave legal backing to the country’s national maintenance policy.
Noting that there would be no duplication of efforts, the minister said the State’s Public Works Corporation will focus on the functional structure of the bridge such as the underwater piles, while the FG will undertake surface maintenance to treat potholes and restore missing guard rails.
His word; “Council approved a fresh contract for the maintenance of the pavement of the third mainland bridge and this was approved in the sum of N6.28bn for a period of 24 months.
“I have been asked about the works that have been done on the bridge before. The works are concentrating largely on the substructure of the bridge; the underwater piles, the pile caps and also the replacement of the expansion joints and the bearings.
“These are maintenance works that are critical to the structural integrity of the bridge. What we’re dealing with now is different. It is the driving surface and also the aesthetics. Some of the rails have been stolen. Some of the pleats are misaligned at the routes that lead you on and off the bridge.”
He added that there would be no anticipated prolonged closures during the works.
The FEC also approved N17.5bn variation for the contract for the construction of the old Enugu-Onitsha road whose current sum now stands at N48.99bn.