HEAVY TRAFFIC ON LAGOS IBADAN EXPRESSWAY AS KARA BRIDGE REPAIRS RESUME; BACKLOG REACHES OTEDOLA BRIDGE

HEAVY TRAFFIC ON LAGOS–IBADAN EXPRESSWAY AS KARA BRIDGE REPAIRS RESUME; BACKLOG REACHES OTEDOLA BRIDGE

Commuters travelling on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway outbound from Lagos are facing significant traffic delays after repair work on the Kara Bridge resumed on Tuesday morning, causing a traffic queue that has stretched all the way back toward the Otedola Bridge. The rehabilitation project to replace damaged expansion joints on the Kara Bridge which had been paused after an earlier phase restarted on Tuesday, prompting partial closure of the outbound lane and leading to a major build‑up of vehicles heading out of Lagos. Officials said the outbound section was narrowed to facilitate the repair, resulting in slow vehicular movement and long queues as drivers compete for limited space on the affected stretch of the expressway. As of the time of filing, the traffic backlog was extending back toward the Otedola Bridge, adding to congestion in one of Nigeria’s busiest transport corridors.

The Federal Controller of Works in Ogun State, Layi Komolafe, who announced the work resumed last week, described the replacement of the expansion joints as a necessary safety measure. He urged traffic enforcement agencies including the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos State Police Command, and Lagos State Ministry of Transport (LASTMA) to manage the traffic and assist commuters during the repair period.

Komolafe appealed to motorists and road users to obey directives from relevant authorities and exercise patience as the work continues, reiterating that the project is critical to ensuring the long‑term durability and safety of the expressway infrastructure.

The Federal Ministry of Works has issued a travel advisory for motorists affected by the partial closure, recommending alternative routes to ease congestion. Motorists travelling from Lagos toward Mowe, Sagamu, or Ibadan are advised to consider detours via Shimawa or Mosinmi. Those heading from Lagos Island toward the same destinations may opt for the Epe corridor through Ijebu‑Ode.Authorities reminded drivers that a shorter route may not necessarily be the fastest during the repair period, and they counselled commuters to plan journeys early, obey traffic directives, and drive cautiously around work zones.

The FRSC previously stated that repairs on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway including the Kara Bridge section are expected to take up to two months to complete due to the careful sealing required for the damaged expansion joints.

Traffic authorities have also pointed out that some damaged sections of the expressway have been linked to accidents, with drivers attempting to avoid problem areas inadvertently causing collisions. This underscores the importance of completing the repair work thoroughly and safely, officials added.