Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Gridlock Causes Six-Hour Delays

Commuters and motorists on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway experienced significant traffic congestion, with some individuals spending up to six hours in gridlock. This worsening situation was attributed to ongoing repair works on the damaged expansion joints of the Kara Bridge, which intensified on Wednesday and continued into Thursday.

The traffic jam extended over 20 kilometers into Lagos, exacerbated by an early morning downpour that slowed vehicular movement. Commercial motorcycle operators, known as Okada riders, capitalized on the situation by transporting stranded passengers from Berger Bus Stop to various destinations in Ogun State.

Commuters like Fidelis Abiodun reported spending over six hours traveling from Ojota to Berger, citing inadequate traffic control as a contributing factor. Another motorist, Segun Molade, decided to avoid his home in Magboro due to the traffic conditions.

The narrowing of four inbound lanes to two before the Kara Bridge for engineering works created a major bottleneck. A Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) official noted that the rain temporarily halted some repair phases, although safety-compliant activities continued.