The Federal Government has reopened the Independence Bridge in Lagos after completing emergency repairs. The move follows a two-day ordeal where millions of Lagos residents endured severe traffic jams due to the bridge’s closure for scheduled maintenance.
Public backlash prompted the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to order the bridge’s immediate reopening on Thursday. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had earlier apologized for the congestion caused by the rehabilitation efforts. Speaking at the reopening event on Friday, Umahi revealed that the closure stemmed from a structural collapse of the bridge’s approach slab, which failed due to a flawed cantilever design.
“It shouldn’t have been a cantilever. A free-standing approach slab is wrong—it needs at least one fixed end,” Umahi explained. He noted that the slab gave way when sand beneath it eroded, threatening commuter safety. Acknowledging the chaotic closure, he admitted that proper protocols were skipped and vowed to establish a national standard for road and bridge closures.
“The controller, Olukorede Kesha, didn’t inform us, and we failed to properly notify Lagosians of detours,” he said. “From now on, no closures will occur without drone surveys, detailed problem-and-solution reports, alternative routes, and public announcements.”
Umahi announced a redesign of the bridge into a single-span structure to eliminate pressure on the abutment and address uncertainties like piling depth. He explained that Lagos bridges, including Third Mainland, Carter, and Iddo, rely on skin-friction piling, making them vulnerable to sand erosion. Further studies will inform long-term fixes, with major work set to begin in three weeks after confirming the condition of underground pipes.
To reduce future disruptions, Umahi outlined a phased construction plan, splitting roadwork into two 21-day stages. Some projects will shift to weekends or nights, with the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) overseeing traffic flow. “This isn’t just engineering—it’s about communication, safety, and responsibility. We must serve Nigerians better,” he concluded.
