The Lagos and Ogun State governments have stepped up traffic management operations along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway following prolonged gridlock around the Kara Bridge axis.
Additional personnel have been deployed to the corridor after a multiple-vehicle crash worsened congestion caused by ongoing rehabilitation work on the bridge, leaving motorists and commuters stranded for several hours on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation said on Wednesday that the tanker involved in the latest obstruction had been removed from the road by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority.
The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Olawale Musa, said the traffic situation was further aggravated by motorists who drove against traffic in an attempt to bypass the congestion.
Musa said more traffic officers had been positioned along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to regulate movement and ease the situation.
He added that the ministry was collaborating with the Lagos and Ogun State Police Commands, the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps and LASTMA to restore smoother traffic flow.
According to him, the rehabilitation of Kara Bridge could cause temporary inconvenience but was necessary to protect the infrastructure and ensure the long-term safety and functionality of the major transport corridor.
He added that the rehabilitation work would be completed soon.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said the agency’s personnel had been working round the clock to improve traffic movement.
He appealed to motorists to exercise patience and avoid driving against traffic whenever obstructions occurred.
Bakare-Oki also urged motorists to consider alternative routes and said LASTMA would continue its advocacy campaign to promote compliance with traffic regulations.
He said “Motorists can access the Ikorodu Garage–Ogijo–Sagamu route, connecting through Lotto to the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway.
Those travelling towards Lagos and adjoining destinations may also consider the Lagos–Abeokuta Expressway.”
The LASTMA boss said “Motorists heading towards Ijebu-Ode may use the Ikorodu–Ijebu-Ode route to reduce pressure on the Kara Bridge corridor and improve traffic distribution.”
Meanwhile, the Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, said his administration had mobilised the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency to support traffic management efforts around Kara Bridge and other affected portions of the expressway.
Abiodun said TRACE officials were working alongside security, emergency and traffic management agencies to remove obstructions, prevent further congestion and facilitate movement along the route.
The governor urged motorists to exercise caution, obey traffic directions and refrain from creating additional lanes or driving against traffic, noting that such actions could worsen congestion and interfere with emergency operations.
“Commercial drivers and articulated vehicle operators are particularly advised to exercise restraint and comply with all traffic directions,” the governor said.
Abiodun said the immediate focus of the state government was to safeguard lives, maintain order and minimise the difficulties faced by commuters.
“We will continue to monitor the situation and deploy the necessary personnel and resources until normal traffic flow is restored,” Abiodun said.
“We appreciate the patience and cooperation of all road users.”
The latest intervention followed Tuesday’s severe gridlock on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, triggered by a crash involving seven vehicles around Kara Bridge.
The incident compounded ongoing repair works and disrupted traffic heading towards Ogun State.
The resulting congestion reportedly stretched beyond the Long Bridge towards Magboro and into Lagos.
As motorists attempted to escape the traffic, some drove against the flow, creating another bottleneck around the OPIC section as they tried to return to the appropriate lane.
Although the crashed vehicles were later cleared, the traffic disruption persisted due to the additional obstruction created by motorists driving against traffic.
