The Independence Bridge on Victoria Island, Lagos, reopened to vehicular traffic on Wednesday after Minister of Works Dave Umahi ordered its immediate restoration, reversing a closure that had paralyzed the city’s Ikoyi area with massive gridlock. The Federal Government had shut the bridge on April 1 for essential maintenance, projecting a timeline until May 2025, but the swift reopening highlights the severity of the disruption and the urgency of public pressure.
Closure Sparks Widespread Congestion
The Federal Controller of Works, Lagos, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, announced the initial closure, citing the need for rehabilitation to ensure the bridge’s safety and stability. The shutdown affected the Marina-bound route, blocking traffic from Ahmadu Bello Way and Adeola Odeku toward Marina, Eko Bridge, and Onikan by Zone 2.
The restricted section stretched from the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) through Bonny Camp Bridge to Independence Bridge, with the Bonny Camp Underpass service lane inbound also closed. However, the service lane from Ahmadu Bello Way to Ozumba Mbadiwe remained accessible.
The impact was immediate and severe. Motorists reported hours-long delays as traffic snarled from Lekki through Victoria Island, clogging Falomo, Law School, Ahmadu Bello Way, and the former Old Bar Beach areas. Those heading to the Mainland struggled to navigate alternative routes, with congestion stretching toward Falomo Bridge.
Government Issues Travel Advisory
Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation Oluwaseun Osiyemi outlined detour options to mitigate the chaos.
Motorists traveling from Ahmadu Bello Way to Victoria Island were directed to use Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue inbound Akin Adesola Street, proceed to Falomo Roundabout, and connect to Obafemi Awolowo Road and Ring Road.
For those bound for the 3rd Mainland Bridge, the route via Ozumba Mbadiwe to Akin Adesola Street, Alfred Rewane Road, Osborne Road, and Ring Road was advised.
Drivers heading to Inner Marina and CMS were rerouted through Ozumba Mbadiwe to Akin Adesola Street, Falomo Roundabout, and Obafemi Awolowo Road to reach J.K. Randle Road/King George V Road. Traffic from Inner Marina/CMS to Ahmadu Bello Way remained unimpeded.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) will be deployed to manage flow along these routes.
What’s Next for Independence Bridge
The closure’s duration sparked confusion. While the completion of the repairs was initially pegged at May 2025, other reports suggested a two-month repair schedule.
The discrepancy fueled frustration as Lagosians were questioning how these repairs would affect their commute to work daily for two months, prompting Umahi’s intervention. The Minister’s directive came as the Federal Ministry of Works issued a statement expressing regret for the inconvenience and promising future cooperation from the public. “The necessary repair works on the bridge will be carried out at a later time,” Kesha clarified, though no revised timeline was provided.
The reopening brings immediate relief to Lagos’ motorists, but the bridge’s maintenance remains unresolved, potentially setting the stage for future disruptions. The government has urged patience, emphasizing the need for eventual rehabilitation to safeguard the vital artery connecting Victoria Island and beyond. For now, traffic flow resumes.
