Umahi reopens Independence Bridge for three weeks

Umahi reopens Independence Bridge for three weeks

For the next three weeks, commuters passing through Independence Bridge in Lagos will enjoy free thoroughfare as the Minister of Works, David Umahi, has officially reopened if after the emergency repair works.

But the permanent work would commence in three weeks, once the integrity of underground pipes is verified.

Umahi also outlined a staged construction approach to minimize disruption, including splitting road works into two phases with each phase lasting about 21 days.

He emphasised that future construction schedules would be designed for the convenience of the public, with some projects carried out exclusively on weekends or at night.

Speaking at the reopening ceremony on Friday, the minister disclosed that the closure was prompted by a structural failure involving the approach slab of the bridge, which caved in due to a faulty design.

According to Umahi, the initial construction of the approach slab was done as a cantilever, which was structurally inappropriate.

“It’s not supposed to be a cantilever. What we had was a free-standing approach slab, which is incorrect. Every approach slab must have at least one end fixed,” he explained.

He added that the slab failed when the sand fill beneath it leaked, compromising its integrity and posing a serious risk to commuters.

Describing the situation as an emergency, the minister admitted that proper procedures were not followed in announcing the closure.

“The mistake that the controller, Olukorede Kesha, made was that she did not notify us. We also didn’t adequately inform Lagosians of the alternative routes,” Umahi said.

In response, Umahi announced plans to introduce a standardized national procedure for road and bridge closures.

“Going forward, no road or bridge in Nigeria will be closed without a clearly defined process. Controllers must submit drone surveys, state the nature of the technical problem and solution, propose alternative routes, and publish this information to the public,” he said.

The minister also disclosed that the bridge is now set for a redesign to ensure long-term stability. “We have decided to redesign the project as a one-span bridge. This will eliminate the lateral head pressure on the abutment and address unknown factors such as piling depth,” he said.

Umahi explained that Lagos bridges, including the Third Mainland, Carter, and Iddo bridges, are held by skin-friction piling, meaning they depend on the surrounding sand for stability.

“Any scouring or sand excavation puts the piles at risk,” he said, noting that ongoing studies will guide further reinforcement work,” he said.

He added that the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) would be involved in traffic monitoring during the repairs.

“This is not just about engineering; it’s about communication, safety, and accountability. We owe it to Nigerians to do better,” the minister stated.

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