By LYDIA CHIGOZIE-NGWAKWE

The Federal Government has begun emergency repair works on a failed section of the Apongbon Bridge in Lagos, with a completion timeline of eight weeks.

The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mr Olufemi Dare, disclosed this while briefing journalists at the project site on Wednesday.

Dare said the repair formed part of the extension of the Third Mainland Bridge project, describing it as “extension number two and phase three” of the ongoing works.

He noted that the failed portion of the bridge was the transition slab at the beginning of the bridge.

“The transition slab at the beginning of the bridge has collapsed.

“Motorists may not easily notice it, but inspection has shown that the section has failed and must be repaired immediately,” he said.

According to him, the Minister of Works, Sen. David Umahi, had inspected the bridge and directed that the failed section should be fixed without delay.

Dare said that work was ongoing on the site in compliance with the minister’s directive.

He clarified that the section being worked on was the 6.5m-wide service lane beside the main bridge.

He said the plan was to rehabilitate both service lanes and divert traffic to them before demolishing and reconstructing the failed transition slab on the main bridge.

Dare said: “We want to avoid another Independence Bridge incident; so, we must first fix the service lanes, divert traffic to them, and then carry out proper demolition and reconstruction of the failed section.”

The controller said the failed asphalt had been removed and the topsoil being excavated in preparation for reconstruction.

He said that the rehabilitation would involve laying a 200mm stone base followed by a 200mm Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP).

According to him, the CRCP will be reinforced with 20mm main bars at 200mm spacing and 16mm distribution bars at 1.1m spacing to ensure durability.

“It will be rigid pavement made of concrete, not asphalt, to ensure strength and long-term performance,” he said.

The controller mentioned the contractor handling the project as China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation.

He expressed satisfaction with the pace of work, noting that the contractor had deployed adequate equipment and manpower to meet the deadline.

Dare also commended Lagos State Government and officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority for assisting with traffic diversion around the project area.

He assured motorists that the entire repair would be completed within eight weeks. (NAN)