Lagos State Government has apologised to residents over inconveniences resulting from the ongoing closure of the Third Mainland Bridge for the three-day integrity test.

According to government, the test ought to have been conducted earlier by the Federal Ministry of Works but was shifted because the state government felt the timing was wrong.

Commissioner for Transport, Ladi Lawanson, made the apology at a news briefing in Ikeja, saying motorists on the Lagos-Abeokuta Motor Road should go through Agege-Ikeja down to Oshodi via Mushin, Ojuelegba, to connect Eko Bridge into Lagos Island.

Lawanson said those vehicles from Ikorodu and Maryland are to make use of Yaba, Oyingbo, Iddo to access Carter Bridge on to Idumota, Martins Street and then to Balogun.

“Motorists from Okokomaiko, Festac, Oshodi, Apapa expressway are enjoined to ply through Ajegunle via Marine Bridge to Ijora, to connect Carter or Eko Bridges by Ijora Olopa, to Apongbon, Lagos Island,” Lawanson said.

The commissioner said the integrity test would also be carried out on other bridges across the state.

He said some other bridges in the state were also due for such test, adding that very soon, the state government would evacuate the tankers on the bridges to ensure proper test on them.

According to him, government would continue to update the residents from time to time on the new development.

“We are open to feedback from time to time; we apologize for any inconveniences it may have caused the residents,” the commissioner said.

Passengers in Lagos had earlier experienced difficulties in getting to their destinations as commercial buses increased transport fares following the diversion of traffic.

Mr Soji Oladele, a civil servant, expressed surprise that fares had been increased by more than 100 percent.

“I was surprised this morning to hear conductors charging N500 from Alausa Ikeja to Obalende as against N200 it used to attract.

“This is unfortunate. Many people were stranded at bus stops because they did not prepare for this increment,” he said.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) had assured that efforts were in place to ensure free flow of traffic during the period.

FRSC Lagos State Sector Commander, Hyginus Omeje, said over 200 personnel were on ground at the critical corridors to ensure free flow of vehicular movement.

Omeje said there was a collaboration between the various law enforcement agencies to ensure a free flow of traffic.