Lagos Independence Bridge to reopen on Sunday, traffic to be restricted to half carriageway – Umahi 

Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this on Thursday when speaking to journalists following the massive gridlock that occurred in Lagos on Wednesday due to the bridge closure for rehabilitation repairs.

Umahi explained that a temporary restoration would be completed within three days, allowing partial traffic flow by Sunday.

However, the bridge will require further assessment over the next two weeks before the installation of a permanent structure begins.

“What we are doing now is to restore the bridge temporarily within the next three days. By Sunday, this place would be totally open,” Umahi stated.

He added, “But either way, after Sunday, the route will be open for traffic, but it is going to be half the carriageway.” 

According to Umahi, the damage to the bridge was caused by the escape of sand beneath the roadway, which led to gradual sinking before the road eventually collapsed. The contractor, Buildwell, has constructed a retaining wall on piles to prevent further sand loss, stabilizing the structure.

Providing further details, the Minister of Works explained that the long-term repairs will be carried out in phases to minimize traffic disruption. The initial phase involves filling the affected section with subsand and laying a 450mm-thick stone base, allowing traffic to resume for two weeks.

While Sunday’s reopening will ease congestion, full restoration of the bridge is expected to take several months, as authorities focus on ensuring long-term structural stability.

On Wednesday, April 2, 2025, Lagos experienced severe gridlock following the closure of the Independence Bridge (Marina-bound) for rehabilitation, which began the previous day, April 1. The shutdown disrupted traffic flow across major routes on Lagos Island, forcing motorists to seek alternative routes that quickly became overwhelmed.

With the bridge set to reopen partially on Sunday, authorities are working to ensure a more coordinated approach to future repairs to minimize disruptions.