Lagos govt shuts damaged Alapere footbridge, begins emergency repairs

<p>Odunuga said the state government will continually explore viable safety measures including installation of advanced sensor technology to mitigate future risks.</p>, <span>Damaged Alapere foot bridge. NAN</span>, <h2>The Lagos State Government says it has temporarily closed Alapere Pedestrian Bridge which was damaged by an articulated vehicle, and began immediate remedial works on sections that need urgent attention.</h2>, <p>A statement by Shina Odunuga, Spokesman, Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, said the swift intervention was prompted by a viral video revealing cracks on various sections of the bridge.</p>, <p>Odunuga said the bridge had been good, safe and useful for well over 15 years until the current unfortunate event.</p>, <p>He said a team of Lagos State Government officials from the ministry of works and infrastructure and the public works corporation conducted a joint inspection to assess the extent of damage to the infrastructure.</p>, <p>Odunuga said the team led by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Infrastructure, Olufemi Daramola, decided to temporarily close the bridge in the interest of public safety.</p>, <p>He said the delegation assessed the situation, conducted tests and began immediate repairs.</p>, <p>“According to eyewitness accounts, the damage to the bridge occurred when an articulated low-bed truck attempted to navigate the bridge while carrying heavy-duty equipment that exceeded the provided standard design headroom of 5.4 meters.</p>, <p>“At this juncture, the incident brings to mind similar occurrences at Alakija-Trade Fair and Apapa/Oshodi within the past year.</p>, <p>“Public infrastructure is being negatively impacted due to the recklessness of road transporters who fail to adhere to international best practices while driving articulated vehicles,” he said.</p>, <p>Odunuga added that the Alapere Pedestrian Bridge was the third bridge damaged within a short period, thereby, posing challenges to infrastructural growth, given the limited resources of the state g