The Federal Government is considering diverting heavy-duty vehicles and trucks to the Second Niger Bridge as a temporary measure to address persistent gridlock on the First Niger Bridge.
The Anambra State Federal Controller of Works, Timothy Emenike, disclosed this in an interview on Tuesday, saying barriers could be installed at both ends of the First Niger Bridge to prevent heavy-duty trucks from accessing it.
Findings by South-East PUNCH at the bridge over the weekend showed that traffic congestion, often resulting in hours of standstill, had persisted since its reopening on October 15.
The bridge, which connects Onitsha in Anambra State to Asaba in Delta State, was initially closed on September 7, 2026, after the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, discovered extensive structural vandalism during an inspection.
The damage reportedly included missing bolts, cut steel components and damaged expansion-jointed steelwork.
Following its reopening, new road demarcations and concrete medians were installed, narrowing the available lanes and triggering complaints from motorists and commuters.
Road users said broken-down trailers and heavy-duty trucks frequently became trapped within the newly demarcated lanes, obstructing traffic and leaving motorists stranded for several hours.
They added that the situation became worse whenever a heavy-duty vehicle developed a fault on the bridge, as the limited space made it difficult for other vehicles to manoeuvre around it.
Speaking on the proposed diversion, Emenike said the Federal Ministry of Works was considering several measures to ease traffic movement, particularly as the Yuletide season approaches.
He explained that diverting heavy-duty trucks to the Second Niger Bridge would free up space on the First Niger Bridge and improve traffic flow.
“The gridlock on the First Niger Bridge is noted and the ministry is exploring a lot of measures to ensure ease of traffic, especially as we approach the Yuletide season. This gridlock can be prevented if motorists are intentional,” he said.
Emenike blamed some of the congestion on drivers who failed to move their vehicles away from the carriageway when they noticed mechanical faults.
READ ALSO: FG Shuts Old Niger Bridge September 4 For Major Repairs
He maintained that motorists should make efforts to clear their vehicles from the road to allow other users to pass whenever a breakdown occurred.
The controller also defended the newly installed road demarcations, saying they were designed to improve movement and had been tested to ensure that two vehicles could pass simultaneously.
He, however, noted that while a heavy-duty truck and a smaller vehicle could pass on the same lane, two heavy-duty trucks could not move alongside each other on the bridge.
“That is why the ministry is considering diverting the heavy-duty trucks to the Second Niger Bridge that is wide enough to contain them,” he said.
Emenike added that the Second Niger Bridge had sufficient capacity to accommodate more vehicles but was currently underutilised.
Meanwhile, motorists and drivers have expressed differing opinions about the new road demarcations, with some blaming the concrete barriers for worsening congestion.
A driver identified as Emeka said the new design made it difficult for vehicles to navigate around broken-down cars, buses and trucks, leaving entire lanes blocked.
“Since the installation of the concrete demarcations, whenever a car, bus, or truck breaks down or stalls, it completely blocks that single lane, triggering severe traffic standstills,” he said.
Emeka also complained that promised towing vans had not been provided at both ends of the bridge, making the removal of broken-down vehicles difficult and prolonging traffic disruptions.
A truck driver, identified as Sanni, urged his colleagues to ensure their vehicles were in good condition before using the bridge to prevent avoidable breakdowns.
He also called on the authorities to provide towing vans to facilitate the quick removal of disabled vehicles.
A civil servant, Amaka, described the demarcation as a positive measure intended to discourage reckless driving but said the resulting congestion showed the need for additional interventions.
She suggested installing barriers at both ends of the bridge to prevent heavy-duty trucks from accessing it, arguing that the measure could help address the persistent traffic challenges.