Motorists travelling along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway were left stranded for several hours on Tuesday as repair works on damaged expansion joints at the Kara Bridge caused a major traffic build-up.
The congestion stretched from the Kara Bridge in Ogun State towards the 7Up Junction in Lagos State, with traffic extending beyond the Secretariat Bus Stop by mid-afternoon.
Motorists approaching the Otedola Underpass from Ikeja and Agege were also caught in the congestion, while traffic backed up towards Otunba Jobi Fele Way.
Security and traffic management personnel from the police, military, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Federal Road Safety Corps and Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency were deployed to manage the situation. Officials alternated traffic heading towards Kara with vehicles coming from the expressway in an effort to prevent a complete standstill.
The repairs around the bridge’s entry and exit points towards OPIC further worsened the situation.
Several motorists expressed frustration over the prolonged congestion and the lack of alternative routes for people travelling towards Mowe. Some also complained about the recurring nature of traffic problems along the corridor.
The spokesperson for the Ogun State traffic agency, Babatunde Akinbiyi, appealed to motorists to remain patient and cooperate with officials. He said authorities had anticipated the disruption and issued a traffic advisory before the repairs began.
According to Akinbiyi, motorists without urgent business along the route should avoid the area where possible, while those who must use the road should follow instructions from traffic officials.
The repair works, being carried out in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works and other relevant agencies, are expected to continue until September 22, 2026. The intervention is aimed at repairing the deteriorating expansion joints, protecting the structural integrity of the bridge and improving road safety along the heavily used corridor.
