Gridlock Persists on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway as Kara Bridge Repairs, Crash Compound Traffic

Severe traffic congestion is persisting along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway around the Kara Bridge and Long Bridge corridor, following ongoing repairs on the Kara Bridge and a multiple-vehicle crash recorded on Tuesday.

The two-week replacement of damaged expansion joints on the Kara–Berger Bridge began on September 8 and is expected to continue until September 22. The repairs have already caused significant traffic restrictions along the busy corridor.

The situation was further worsened on Tuesday, September 15, when a 40-foot container truck was involved in a crash with six other vehicles at Kara Bridge. LASEMA said preliminary findings indicated that the truck developed a mechanical fault and lost control before hitting the other vehicles.

Reports also indicate that the resulting congestion extended beyond Long Bridge towards Magboro and into parts of Lagos, while some motorists drove against traffic in attempts to escape the gridlock, creating additional bottlenecks.

Traffic management personnel have been deployed to regulate movement and assist motorists. Drivers are advised to exercise caution, obey traffic officials and consider alternative routes, including the Ikorodu–Ogijo corridor and roads around Shimawa, Sango and Abeokuta where appropriate.

Motorists using the corridor are advised to plan their journeys ahead and allow additional travel time while the Kara Bridge rehabilitation continues.