EAVY GRIDLOCK WORSENS AFTER TRUCK‑CAR COLLISION AT KARA BRIDGE

EAVY GRIDLOCK WORSENS AFTER TRUCK‑CAR COLLISION AT KARA BRIDGE A truck collided with a car at the Kara Bridge along the Lagos‑Ibadan Expressway, compounding severe traffic congestion that has persisted in the corridor in recent days, officials said Thursday.

• The accident occurred Thursday morning on the outbound lane toward Mowe, involving a Mack truck and a Toyota Camry.
• The car sustained significant damage to its bonnet after being struck by the truck.
• Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) officers and other traffic authorities were deployed to manage the scene and help ease vehicular flow.
• The collision aggravated already heavy gridlock at the Kara Bridge corridor, a major artery linking Lagos with southwestern Nigeria.
• Traffic buildup has extended far beyond the immediate accident site, with spillover reaching Otedola Bridge, Berger, and other adjoining routes.
• Commuters reported journeys taking between three and five hours for relatively short distances through the affected stretch.
• Authorities say the bridge rehabilitation work including the replacement of damaged expansion joints on the outbound carriageway has led to lane closures and traffic diversions, straining road capacity.
• The Kara Bridge and adjacent Otedola Bridge axes have been frequent flashpoints for severe congestion and crashes on the Lagos‑Ibadan Expressway. A fallen truck on Otedola Bridge trapped motorists last week, highlighting the vulnerability of the corridor to gridlock when incidents occur.
• Earlier this year and in past months, multiple crashes on Kara Bridge and the wider expressway area have resulted in prolonged traffic standstills, injuries and deaths, raising ongoing concerns about road safety and infrastructure strain
• Traffic authorities including FRSC and Lagos State traffic officials continue on‑site management and diversion efforts to relieve congestion and prevent secondary incidents.