By Olasunkanmi Akoni

LAGOS—MOTORISTS and commuters were, yesterday, trapped in traffic for several hours, as the eight-week repair works on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, by the Federal Government, entered the second day.

The Federal Government, on Tuesday, commenced repair works amid a mild gridlock.

The situation was worsened by the traffic diversion along the Iyana-Oworonshoki inward Adeniji Adele section of the Third Mainland Bridge and the section closed to vehicular movement.

As early as 7 am, traffic on the alternative routes for motorists coming into the Mainland was heavy along Funsho Williams Avenue, formerly Western Avenue.

By noon, the traffic trend later switched to the other side, inward Island following the high influx of vehicles along the axis.

Motorists were seen lamenting the situation with an appeal to both federal and state governments to deploy better, effective traffic management strategies to ease movement.

Motorist lament

Rafiu Adebayo, a worker on the Island, told Vanguard “I have spent over two hours from Gbagada to Funsho Williams just to connect Island. The gridlock is just unbearable despite the presence of traffic managers.”

Also, Mrs Stella Abioye, a trader said: “I conduct my business in the afternoon on the Island, I have been in the traffic for over three hours from Ketu to connect to Ojuelegba. The traffic is simply crazy and unacceptable.

“Is this what Lagos residents will have to pass through every day for the next eight weeks or so? The relevant government agencies should come to our aid and find a way to resolve this gridlock. It can be better managed if there are proper traffic management plans in.place.”

Earlier, while speaking at the diversion point during the monitoring exercise, the Commissioner for Transportation in Lagos State, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, disclosed that 250 traffic Management Personnel have been deployed to the axis to minimize inconvenience and ensure hitch-free movement for motorists.

Osiyemi added that the Federal Ministry of Works, Federal Road Safety Corps and the Nigerian Police Force are in collaboration to ensure safety, security and sanity during the repairs.

Recall that the Federal Controller of Works, Mrs Olukorede Kesha had explained that the Adeniji bound lane will be opened to traffic from midnight to noon after which it will be closed to vehicular movement and Motorists inbound Island will be diverted to Eko Bridge via Ikorodu Road.