…….Reopens Bridge For Public Use Amid Safety Concerns
The Lagos State Government today announced that the contractor engaged for the construction of the ever-busy pedestrian bridge at Alapere/Estate Bus Stop on the Third Axial Road has completed construction works on the damaged Bridge just as the Government has announced the opening of the Bridge for use to the Public citing safety reasons.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure, Engineer Olufemi Daramola who made this known today, said given the high premium the administration of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu places on the safety of lives of the people, the Governor has directed that the Bridge be opened immediately for Public Use.
After an inspection of the completed bridge by a team comprising Lagos State Government Officials from the Office of Infrastructure and the Contractors was carried out on the bridge to determine its fitness for continued public use, the Special Adviser said although the Government plans to hand over and officially commission the project Mr Governor has directed the immediate re-opening of the Bridge to reduce the risk of crossing the Expressway experienced by commuters before the re-construction of the bridge.
While urging pedestrians and commuters to see the gesture of the Governor as responsive and timely he said, “In the interim, we have opened the Bridge for pedestrian use considering safety implications while we await the formal handing over by Mr Governor,” Daramola said
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Infrastructure said “This is commendable as the Administration of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu is a responsive one and would leave no stone unturned at ensuring the safety of all in the State.
Recall that, the damage to the bridge which was constructed eleven years ago was caused by the impact of a container-laden truck, that tried to manoeuvre under the bridge bearing a load that was far beyond the provided headroom of the Bridge thereby causing a negative impact to both vehicular traffic and pedestrian users of the Bridge.
When his opinion on the immediate reopening of the bridge was sought, the Commissioner for Information and Strategy Gbenga Omotoso said, aside from showing the high responsiveness of the Governor, it also an affirmation that the Lagos State Government is irrevocably committed to making the State work for the citizenry and committed to providing top class infrastructure that will facilitate easy movement of people, goods and materials.
