RismadarVoice Reporters
September 9, 2026
Motorists travelling along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway were stranded for several hours on Tuesday following heavy traffic congestion caused by ongoing repair works on the damaged expansion joints of the Kara Bridge.
The repair activities resulted in a major traffic build-up stretching from the Kara Bridge area in Ogun State to the 7Up Junction in Lagos State, affecting commuters heading towards both Lagos and Ogun corridors.
Traffic monitoring revealed that the congestion, which began building up in the afternoon, extended beyond the Secretariat Bus Stop, with motorists from Ikeja and Agege also experiencing delays while attempting to access the Otedola Underpass and surrounding routes.
The situation was further worsened by repair activities at the entry and exit points of the bridge towards OPIC, causing additional restrictions around the Kara axis.
Security and traffic management officials, including personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, military, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, were deployed to manage the situation.
The officials were observed controlling vehicle movement from Isheri and Ojodu towards Kara while alternating traffic flow from the expressway in an effort to prevent a complete breakdown of movement along the corridor.
Some motorists expressed frustration over the prolonged delays, calling for improved planning and permanent solutions to recurring congestion on the expressway.
A motorist, Tunji Kazeem, described the situation as difficult for commuters, particularly those travelling towards Mowe, saying there were limited alternative routes available.
He said motorists had been trapped in traffic for hours after leaving different parts of Lagos.
Another commuter, identified as Jelili, appealed to authorities to address the recurring traffic challenges on the expressway, noting that accidents and road repairs frequently contribute to disruptions along the route.
Another motorist, Kunle Bankole, urged the government to find a lasting solution to congestion on the busy highway, describing the repeated delays as a hardship for road users.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, Babatunde Akinbiyi, appealed to motorists to remain patient and cooperate with traffic officials during the repair period.
Akinbiyi said authorities had anticipated possible traffic challenges and issued an advisory before the commencement of the repair works.
He explained that the intervention was necessary to improve road safety, protect the structural integrity of the bridge and ensure smoother movement along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway corridor.
The Federal Government commenced the replacement of expansion joints on the Kara-Berger Bridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
The repair work, being carried out in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works and other stakeholders, is expected to last for two weeks and is scheduled to be completed on September 22, 2026.
