Lagos: Kara Bridge repairs trigger gridlock, chaos
Motorists are experiencing significant delays due to a two-week repair project on the Kara Bridge, which has resulted in heavy traffic congestion on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The Federal Government initiated work on the bridge on Tuesday, focusing on replacing damaged expansion joints. This project was previously delayed to allow for better traffic management planning.
Reports indicate that the gridlock has extended from the Kara Bridge in Ogun State to the 7Up Junction in Lagos State, affecting travel in the area. By Tuesday, traffic had reached beyond the Secretariat Bus Stop, with vehicles from Ikeja and Agege struggling to navigate the congestion toward the Otedola underpass, which has now extended past Otunba Jobi Fele Way.
As of Wednesday morning, many motorists resorted to using one-way routes to reach their destinations while the congestion showed no signs of improvement.
Traffic and security personnel have been deployed to help manage the situation. However, ongoing repair work at the entry and exit points of the bridge has exacerbated the gridlock around Kara Bridge.
Babatunde Akinbiyi, spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, urged motorists to remain patient and cooperate with traffic officials during the repairs.
“We anticipated that there would be traffic, and that was why we issued a traffic advisory earlier,” Akinbiyi stated. “We can only appeal to motorists to bear with us, as the repair works are necessary for ensuring smooth movement and the safety of road users along the corridor. Anyone without an essential reason to travel in that area should consider alternative routes. Those who must use the expressway should cooperate with traffic officials.”
