Lagos residents faced heavy traffic congestion on Wednesday following the unexpected closure of the Independence Bridge for repairs. The situation was worsened by an early morning downpour, leaving commuters stranded for hours in bumper-to-bumper traffic.
The closure, which began on April 1, 2025, is expected to last for two months, with completion set for the end of May. The bridge, a critical link between Victoria Island, Marina, and Eko Bridge, is undergoing maintenance as part of the Federal Government’s infrastructure rehabilitation efforts.
The sudden traffic disruption led to delays across key areas, with Victoria Island and Ikoyi experiencing the worst gridlock. Commuters reported spending up to six hours on routes that usually take two to three hours. Transport fares also doubled due to the prolonged delays.
A commercial driver lamented the impact on his earnings, saying, “I woke up as early as 4 a.m., and I’m still on my second trip instead of the fourth. This is a major financial loss for me.”
The traffic chaos highlights the challenges of infrastructure maintenance in Nigeria’s busiest city, with residents hoping for quicker solutions to ease the burden.
