Repairs expected to be completed today — Lagos govt
Motorists and commuters faced hours of severe delays on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway yesterday as rehabilitation work continued on the Kara Bridge, located at the Lagos-Ogun border.
The resulting gridlock prompted some commercial transport operators to increase fares by more than 200 per cent, while the congestion extended from Alapere Road towards the Third Mainland Bridge and spread to Ikorodu Road and surrounding areas.
Commercial buses also became difficult to find as the stretch between 7Up and Berger was brought to a complete standstill, leaving many passengers stranded.
The rehabilitation, originally scheduled to last two weeks, has caused significant disruption for motorists and commuters, with many spending several hours on the road.
The work, ordered by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, involves replacing deteriorating expansion joints on the bridge to enhance road safety, strengthen the structure and improve long-term traffic movement along the busy route.
The project was initially scheduled to begin in August but was suspended for a traffic review following public complaints about the short notice and concerns over the absence of adequate traffic management arrangements.
Despite the review, major congestion returned to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Wednesday as the bridge rehabilitation resumed.
The renewed gridlock resulted in lengthy delays for road users travelling along the corridor.
Motorists using the route between Monday and Wednesday reportedly endured prolonged delays, with limited traffic personnel available to manage the situation.
Some motorists were trapped for as long as six hours in queues extending beyond 20 kilometres, while commuters resorted to walking considerable distances to reach their destinations.
Rainstorms and a truck accident on Tuesday night further aggravated the situation, leaving passengers stranded at bus stops around Ojota, Alausa, Magodo and Berger.
Other major routes, including Awolowo Way, Agidingbi and Kudirat Abiola Way, also experienced significant traffic disruptions, underscoring concerns over the need for improved road infrastructure and stronger traffic management measures.
A motorist caught in the congestion described the experience as “horrific, heavy, standstill traffic.”
The motorist, who identified himself as Adewale Olumide, said: “Due to ongoing reconstruction on Kara Bridge, everywhere is totally blocked and at a standstill, affecting other environs. I spent over four hours driving from Ikorodu to Berger.”
Lagos govt reacts
Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, blamed part of the latest congestion on motorists driving against traffic, while also citing the fatal truck crash that caused additional traffic spillover into Lagos.
Mr Osiyemi said: “We are aware of the plight of the road users; we are on top of it and have launched machinery to address the situation.
“Both Lagos and Ogun governments, through Commissioners for Transportation, have had meetings with Commissioners of Police, FRSC authorities, General Managers of LASTMA, and the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, TRACE, with other security agencies had a strategic meeting on Wednesday and set up a joint enforcement team to tackle the chaotic gridlock challenge.
“Traffic personnel, including both high/medium capacity tow-truck have been strategically deployed along Lagos Ibadan Express way to manage traffic effectively and remove and unforeseen encumbrances that may occur along the route.
“We have deployed over 100 traffic and security personnel on the axis to checkmate driving against the traffic, which has worsened the situation.
“I also have it on good authority that the repair works would be completed today and would still be left for about two or three days’ healing period before the bridge will be eventually opened to traffic fully.
“I can assure you that the gridlock situation would have subsided to a large extent.”
FRSC, police and other agencies step up traffic control
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ogun State Sector Command, alongside other traffic management agencies, said measures had been intensified to reduce the impact of the gridlock.
The Chief Route Commander and Public Relations Officer of the FRSC Ogun State Sector Command, Afolabi Odunsi, said the command had partnered with the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), the Police and other relevant agencies to deploy personnel around Kara Bridge and adjoining routes.
He said the personnel were responsible for traffic control, managing diversions, responding to crashes and vehicle breakdowns, as well as maintaining safety around the construction area.
According to Odunsi, the congestion resulted from the phased restriction of traffic on the bridge to allow engineers to replace its deteriorating expansion joints.
He advised motorists without urgent business along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to use alternative routes such as the Ikorodu-Ogijo corridor, Shimawa Bridge and the old Abeokuta route.
Odunsi said: “Motorists could also consider routes around the Sango and Abeokuta axes, depending on their destinations.”
He further urged motorists with non-essential journeys to postpone their trips or take alternative routes, especially during peak traffic periods.
Police deploy personnel
The Police Public Relations Officer for Ogun Command, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said the command was collaborating with the Federal Ministry of Works and other agencies to improve traffic movement around the affected corridor.
Babaseyi said police officers had been deployed in line with existing traffic mapping and management plans to remove obstructions, assist motorists, regulate vehicle movement and direct traffic around the affected areas.
He added that the police were working to make transportation along the corridor easier despite the restrictions resulting from the bridge rehabilitation.
Ogun govt appeals for patience
Ogun State Commissioner for Transportation, Engr. Gbenga Dairo, appealed to motorists and other road users to remain patient and understanding as the Kara Bridge Expansion Joint Replacement Project entered its second and final phase.
Dairo said: “Regrettably, the situation was further compounded when some motorists resorted to driving against traffic route violation) in an attempt to bypass the obstruction. This action significantly aggravated the traffic situation and contributed to the prolonged gridlock in the area.”
Meanwhile, officers and personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, FRSC, TRACE and LASTMA have been stationed along both the outbound and inbound sections of the Kara axis.
The deployment is aimed at maintaining orderly traffic movement, improving safety and reducing disruptions while the Kara Bridge Expansion Joint Replacement Project continues.
