Motorists faced hours of widespread disruption after the A14 Orwell Bridge was closed following a fatal crash.
The major route was shut in both directions between Wherstead and Nacton for much of Friday, October 16, with traffic diverted through Ipswich while police carried out investigations.
The closure lasted for around 12 hours before the eastbound carriageway reopened shortly before 4pm.
The westbound side remained closed while enquiries continued.
Severe delays quickly developed across the road network, with motorists facing queues of more than an hour on the A14 during the morning.
The knock-on impact was also felt throughout Ipswich as diverted traffic added to congestion on already busy routes.
Traffic sensors showed heavy traffic on roads including Colchester Road, Felixstowe Road, Vernon Street, London Road and Crown Street.
Earlier congestion was also reported on St Matthew's Street, Norwich Road, Fore Street and Bramford Lane.
National Highways diverted motorists around Ipswich using the A1156, A1189 and A1214 before directing them back onto the A14.
The disruption also affected Felixstowe School and Sixth Form, which delayed opening after staff were unable to arrive on time because of the traffic.
Paul Simon, from Suffolk Chamber of Commerce, said the disruption highlighted concerns about the resilience of the road network around Ipswich.
He said the organisation's 2025 research found 81 per cent of businesses were concerned that problems on the Orwell Bridge and wider A14 corridor would affect their operations.
Police were called by the ambulance service at 3.41am following reports of a person in the westbound carriageway on the Orwell Bridge.
The male was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said the man has not yet been identified.
Officers have appealed for witnesses and asked motorists who were in the area at the time with dashcams to check their footage.
Anyone with information should contact the Joint Norfolk & Suffolk Serious Collision Investigation Unit, quoting 37/61160/26.
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