Traffic congestion has continued to affect motorists along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Wednesday morning, September 16, following a multiple-vehicle crash at the Kara Bridge and ongoing repair works on the busy corridor. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) reported that movement was slow along the Otedola Bridge inward to Berger and Kara, with the backlog extending towards OPIC Turning and beyond Long Bridge.
According to the traffic agency, its personnel had been deployed to OPIC Turning to manage the situation and ease vehicular movement. The congestion followed Tuesday’s accident involving a container-laden truck on Kara Bridge. The truck reportedly lost control while moving out of Lagos, triggering a chain of disruptions on the already-congested corridor.
The accident compounded the traffic situation created by ongoing rehabilitation of the Kara Bridge, where expansion-joint replacement works are being carried out. Motorists were reportedly trapped for more than 14 hours on Tuesday as congestion spread from the Kara area towards Magboro and into Lagos.
According to reports, the crash involved seven vehicles, including a 40-foot container truck, a Toyota Hilux, an interstate bus, a Hyundai Odyssey, a Sienna, a Toyota Highlander and another Mitsubishi Hilux. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency said preliminary findings indicated that the container truck developed a mechanical fault while in motion, causing the driver to lose control and collide with the other vehicles.
The affected vehicles were subsequently removed from the carriageway, and authorities said no deaths or injuries were recorded in the incident. However, the traffic situation was further complicated when some motorists drove against traffic in an attempt to escape the gridlock. The manoeuvre created another bottleneck around the OPIC section, worsening movement for vehicles heading towards Lagos.
By Tuesday evening, the congestion had stretched beyond Long Bridge towards Magboro, while slow movement was also reported around Iyana-Oworo and the Third Mainland Bridge. Transport fares reportedly increased along some affected routes as commuters sought alternative ways to reach their destinations.
Passengers travelling from Iyana-Oworo to Berger were reportedly charged as much as ₦2,000, compared with the usual ₦500 to ₦700 range, while fares from Iyana-Oworo to Mowe reportedly rose to about ₦3,000 from around ₦1,200. The situation has added to concerns among residents and workers who depend on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway for daily commuting between Lagos and communities in Ogun State.
The Kara Bridge rehabilitation began on September 8 and involves the replacement of deteriorating expansion joints. The works are expected to continue until September 22, with motorists warned to expect lane restrictions and delays, particularly during peak periods. Traffic authorities have urged motorists to exercise patience, obey traffic regulations and avoid driving against traffic, which can create additional bottlenecks and increase the risk of further accidents.
As of Wednesday morning, LASTMA said movement was improving but remained slow around the Otedola Bridge, OPIC Turning and Kara corridor. Motorists using the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway are therefore advised to allow extra travel time and exercise caution while traffic management and recovery operations continue.