The ongoing repair of the expansion joint on Kara Bridge has plunged motorists into hours-long gridlock along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, with travellers bearing the brunt of the disruption.
The situation worsened on Wednesday as hundreds of road users were stranded from as early as 2pm, amid a surge in outbound traffic from Lagos ahead of the Sallah holidays. By 4pm, the congestion had stretched as far as the old toll gate, bringing movement on the highway to a near standstill.
Many motorists criticised the Federal Government for commencing the repairs without prior notice and at what they described as an inappropriate time, given the heavy travel associated with the festive period.
Distress messages circulated across multiple WhatsApp groups along the corridor, with commuters urging others to leave work early or risk being stranded until late into the night.
Efforts to reach the Federal Controller of Works in Ogun State were unsuccessful. However, several motorists who spoke expressed frustration over the decision to carry out construction on such a critical route during peak travel, calling for an immediate suspension of the work.
One of the affected travellers, Alhaji Lookman Idris, described the situation as avoidable, lamenting the hardship faced by commuters and attributing it to what he termed poor planning. He added that prevailing security concerns in the country should have informed better timing of the project.
The gridlock followed the unexpected return of contractors to the site, ahead of the initially scheduled timeline. The repair work had earlier been slated to commence after the Eid-el-Fitr holidays recently declared by the Federal Government.
Prior to the development, the Lagos State Government had issued a traffic advisory, outlining alternative routes and urging motorists to plan their journeys to minimise disruption.
According to the advisory, motorists from the Third Mainland Bridge are to divert through Ketu, Mile 12, and Ogolonto to Ikorodu Garage, before linking Sabo Roundabout to access Isagamu or Itokin roads.
Similarly, drivers from Lagos Island are to pass through Ilubinrin, Ijora Bridge, and Eko Bridge to Funsho Williams Avenue, before connecting Ikorodu Road via Ojota, and continuing through Ketu, Mile 12, and Ogolonto to Ikorodu Garage.
“In line with the partial closure of the bridge inward Opic/Mowe, motorists are advised to make use of alternative routes during the repair period.
“Motorists from Lagos Island are to link Ilubinrin to connect Ijora Bridge, access Eko Bridge to Funsho Williams Avenue, and link Ikorodu Road through Ojota to Ketu, before connecting Mile 12 to Ogolonto to Ikorodu Garage and linking Sabo Roundabout to Isagamu Road/Itokin Road,” the ministry stated.
The advisory also highlighted an additional diversion through Ikorodu Garage and Sabo Roundabout, connecting Ogijo, Likosi, Shimawa, Lotto and Mowe for onward journeys.
It also noted that motorists can also link Ikorodu Garage through Sabo Roundabout to link Ogijo to Likosi and connect Shimawa to Lotto to link Mowe and connect their destinations,” it added.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq in a phone interview said that officials had been deployed to manage the situation.
He explained that the traffic congestion was due to major repair works on one side of the expressway, leaving only two lanes open for motorists.
He added that LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, had mobilised personnel to the Kara Bridge area to monitor traffic and promptly clear any breakdowns, particularly involving heavy-duty trucks.
Authorities have urged motorists to plan their journeys carefully and make use of the designated alternative routes to minimise delays as repair works continue.
SOURCE: THENATION
