Gridlock Looms As Lagos Diverts Traffic For Independence Bridge Repairs

Motorists plying Independence Bridge on Lagos Island could expertise visitors congestion because the Lagos State Government declares a diversion of visitors for restore works scheduled to start on Friday.

The state authorities mentioned the Federal Ministry of Works would begin asphalt repairs on the bridge on Friday, at evening, with work persevering with all through Saturday and Sunday.

The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, disclosed this in a visitors advisory.

According to the advisory, the restore works will have an effect on each the inbound and outbound lanes of the bridge, with visitors administration measures launched to minimise disruptions.

The authorities mentioned every part of the bridge could be partially closed at a time, leaving one lane open for motorists to entry their locations all through the restore interval.

The works are anticipated to proceed throughout the day and evening on Saturday, October 17, and Sunday, October 18, 2026.

The authorities urged motorists to plan their journeys, think about various routes and cooperate with visitors administration officers to cut back delays.

“Traffic management plans to help motorists navigate their movement during the repair works on the inbound and outbound lanes of the bridge include partial closure of each section at a time with a lane opened for motorists to access their destinations,” the assertion mentioned.

“Motorists are urged to plan their movement and make use of alternative routes to connect their desired destinations for the duration of the repairs.”

Officers of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority can be deployed to handle car motion and minimise inconvenience to highway customers.

Motorists have been additionally suggested to stay affected person and adjust to visitors rules all through the restore interval.

The newest announcement comes about 18 months after the Federal Government ordered the reopening of the bridge following its closure for upkeep and rehabilitation works in April 2025.

The closure, which lasted for few days, brought on extreme visitors congestion, leaving some motorists stranded for greater than 4 hours.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, later directed that the bridge be reopened, saying additional repairs could be carried out later. He additionally mentioned palliative works have been underway to make sure the bridge remained motorable.

The upcoming repairs are anticipated to check visitors administration on Lagos Island, notably as motorists navigate the partial closures of the bridge over the three-day interval.