David Umahi, the Minister of Works, has announced that the Independence Bridge in Victoria Island will reopen to commuters by 3 pm today, Friday.
The bridge was initially closed for maintenance and rehabilitation, causing widespread gridlock in the city.
Umahi assured Lagos residents that the repair work on the damaged section of the bridge would be completed, with follow-up checks scheduled in two weeks.
The minister noted that he was not initially informed of the decision to close the bridge, which was announced by Olukorede Kesha, federal controller of works in Lagos.
Following public outcry over the hours-long gridlock on Wednesday, Umahi ordered the bridge’s reopening, stating that necessary repair work would be carried out later.
The minister confirmed that 50% of the repair work has been completed and expressed optimism that the current fixes might prove durable, eliminating the need for further closures.
With the reopening of the bridge, commuters can expect relief from the traffic congestion that has plagued the city since the closure.