by Isi Esene

Motorists using the Third Mainland Bridge have been given another temporary reprieve as the second complete diversion on the bridge, which was meant to allow for the completion of the concrete casting of the second and third expansion joints inward Lagos Island, has been postponed from the 5th to the 12th of August.

The Lagos State commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa disclosed this while briefing newsmen on the progress on the repair work on the usually the bridge, which is West Africa’s longest.

Opeifa explained that the complete diversion is to allow for the concrete casting of the second and third expansion joints. The concrete casting of the first expansion joint took place last Sunday.

According to the National Mirror, the commissioner commended motorists for their orderly conduct during the first diversion and solicited for their co-operation on the next diversion. He also praised the efforts of the construction company handling the repairs, Messrs Borini Prono, for professionally handling the repair work and executing it as scheduled.

He advised motorists to make use of the provided alternate routes and to always endeavour to obey traffic rules.

Opeifa said, “Motorists inward Lagos Island and Ikeja will experience complete diversion of traffic from the bridge and will be restricted from having access to the bridge from 6am to midnight on Sunday, 12th August, 2012.”

The commissioner appealed to motorists to bear with the government as the repair works and diversions were to ensure the safety of road users and in the general interest of all.