- Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu apologized to residents for severe traffic disruptions caused by the closure of the Independence (McEwen) Bridge for repairs.
- The Lagos Island-to- mainland bridge, a vital route, is set to be closed from April 1 to May 2025 as part of a comprehensive repair project.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has issued a formal apology to residents following the severe traffic congestion caused by the closure of the Independence (McEwen) Bridge for urgent repairs.
The bridge, a critical link between Lagos Island and the mainland, was shut down on April 1 for maintenance, with work expected to last until the end of May 2025. However, its closure has led to unprecedented gridlock across the city, leaving commuters stranded for hours.
Alternative routes such as the Five Cowrie (Falomo) Bridge and the Lekki-Epe Expressway quickly became overwhelmed, worsening traffic in key areas, including Victoria Island, Ikoyi, and Lekki. Major roads such as Akin Adesola, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Alfred Rewane (Kingsway), Bourdillon, Admiralty Way, and Freedom Way were among the most affected.
Notable personalities, including veteran actress Kate Henshaw and BBNaija star Jumoke Zainab Adedoyin (JMK), voiced their frustration online. JMK described her journey from the airport to her home as unbearable after spending eight hours stuck in traffic.
Responding to the widespread complaints, Governor Sanwo-Olu apologized for the inconvenience, acknowledging the difficulties faced by residents. He explained that the bridge repair project had been planned for over three years to avert potential structural failure.
To mitigate the impact, he assured Lagosians that alternative routes would be cleaned up more frequently, additional traffic officers and security personnel would be deployed, and measures similar to those used during the December festive season would be implemented.
Furthermore, he urged offices with remote work capabilities to consider allowing employees to work from home during the repair period to reduce congestion. The governor also reminded residents to obey traffic rules to help ease the situation.
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