Kara Bridge Repairs Trigger Massive Gridlock on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway…Motorists stranded for hours as congestion stretches from Ogun to Lagos

Repair works on the Kara Bridge have triggered severe traffic congestion on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, leaving motorists stranded for several hours and disrupting movement between Lagos and Ogun states.

The gridlock began building up on Tuesday following the commencement of repairs on damaged expansion joints on the Kara-Berger Bridge section of the major highway.

Traffic monitored along the corridor stretched from the Kara Bridge in Ogun State to the 7Up Junction in Lagos, with congestion also affecting motorists approaching the Otedola underpass from Ikeja and Agege.

By about 3:30pm, the traffic had extended beyond the Secretariat Bus Stop, while vehicles along Otunba Jobi Fele Way were also caught in the congestion.

Security and traffic management personnel, including the police, military, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Federal Road Safety Corps and Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, were deployed to manage the situation.

Officials were seen alternating vehicles travelling towards Kara from Isheri and Ojodu with those heading from the expressway in an effort to prevent the corridor from becoming completely paralysed.

Additional repair activities at the entry and exit points of the bridge towards OPIC further compounded the congestion around Kara.

Motorists lament prolonged hardship

Motorists caught in the gridlock expressed frustration over the situation, with some saying they had few or no alternative routes to their destinations.

One motorist, Tunji Kazeem, described the traffic as unbearable, saying motorists heading towards Mowe were particularly affected.

He said he left Oshodi at about 1pm but had remained largely stuck in traffic around the 7Up area several hours later.

Another motorist, Jelili, complained that congestion had become a recurring problem on the expressway, urging authorities to find a permanent solution.

Kunle Bankole, another motorist, also appealed to the government to address the persistent traffic challenges along the corridor.

He attributed the recurring congestion to road repairs, roadside trading and accidents, saying motorists should not continually be subjected to prolonged delays.

Traffic agency appeals for patience

The spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, Babatunde Akinbiyi, appealed to motorists to remain patient and cooperate with traffic officials while the repairs last.

Akinbiyi said authorities had anticipated possible congestion and issued a traffic advisory before the commencement of the project.

He explained that the repairs were necessary to improve road safety, preserve the structural integrity of the bridge and ensure smoother movement along the busy corridor.

He advised motorists without urgent business along the route to avoid the axis during the repair period.

The Federal Government had earlier announced that the replacement of the damaged expansion joints on the Kara-Berger Bridge would last for two weeks, from September 8 to September 22, 2026.

The intervention, being carried out in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works and other stakeholders, is aimed at addressing the deteriorating expansion joints and improving safety and traffic flow on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Motorists have, however, urged the authorities to strengthen traffic management measures throughout the repair period to minimise the impact on commuters and businesses operating along the corridor.