Bridge repair paralyses Lagos traffic
Monster traffic jams are nothing new for Lagos, but the partial closure of the city's main bridge for repairs has made getting about an even greater ordeal for its 20 million inhabitants.
The on-ramp to the Third Mainland Bridge has become the most coveted piece of real estate in Africa's biggest city -- at rush hour, it turns into a chokepoint that saps energy, frays nerves and drives up costs.
Cyril Oyenuga is clearly exhausted as he lifts a small towel wedged into the window to protect him from the sun.
"Yesterday I spent five hours in traffic jams. It's very tiring," he said. "But I don't have a choice. I have to work."
The Third Mainland is Africa's second-largest bridge, extending nearly 12 kilometres (7.5 miles) to link Lagos Island, the business heart of the city,...