The federal government, in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps, has installed speed limit cameras on the Third Mainland Bridge to encourage responsible driving, preserve the bridge and improve safety.
The federal controller of works, Lagos, Keisha Olukorede, announced the unofficial reopening of the bridge on Thursday.
The federal government began comprehensive rehabilitation of the bridge on January 9 due to several failed portions.
She disclosed that the speed cameras would be displayed conspicuously at the median to capture motorists exceeding the limit. She added that anyone caught speeding would not face immediate penalties on the spot.
Ms Olukorede said, “The speed limit has been designed to be 80km/per hour. So, if you speed past 80km in the next few weeks, your honourable commissioner will have you to contend with.”
Speaking on behalf of Works Minister David Umahi, the federal controller noted that the bridge, which was fully opened to the public, still needed some additional work.She said the remaining work includes installing solar lights and CCTV cameras.
According to her, they are doing this while the bridge is open so as not to disrupt traffic flow in the future.
Ms Olukorede said the main deck repairs would be finished by May 2024, adding that President Bola Tinubu would hold an official commissioning to mark the completion.
Additionally, she said work would be done underneath the bridge and underwater.
She appealed to motorists to report breakdowns, saying, “If you see something, say something, and if you see a car being repaired on the bridge, you should report it by calling me or the police.
“We are going to talk with the governor. It is not to your joy or delight if your vehicle breaks down. So, you should be assisted instead of being penalised.”
In his remark, the Commissioner for Transportation, Lagos State, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, corroborated Keisha’s statements, urging people to comply.
“You will see speed limit signs as from today and the speed cameras will come on; the speed limit for Third Mainland Bridge is 80km per hour, so the speed cameras are there.
“So if you go beyond the speed limits, what it does is take a picture of your car and your number plate; we have a database, and we have our ways of sending your bills to you,’’ he said.
