Lagos Deploys More Traffic Officers as Kara Gridlock Strands Commuters
By Emmanuel Daniji
Thousands of motorists and commuters travelling between Lagos and Ogun States have been left stranded for hours as traffic congestion on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway spread across major sections of the corridor.
The gridlock, which lasted for more than 12 hours in some areas, affected motorists around Kara Bridge, Long Bridge, Magboro and Berger, leaving many travellers facing long delays on a route that carries heavy daily traffic.
The Lagos State Government has now deployed additional traffic officers to the expressway as authorities work to restore movement and reduce the pressure around the Kara Bridge corridor.
The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, Olawale Musa, said a fallen truck that had obstructed the road had been removed by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA).
However, he said the situation became worse after some motorists began driving against traffic in an attempt to escape the congestion.
The government said the gridlock was caused by a combination of the fallen truck, ongoing rehabilitation work at Kara Bridge and several road crashes along the corridor.
For commuters, the disruption has meant hours lost on the road, with some unable to get to work, businesses, appointments and other destinations on time.
Musa said additional traffic personnel had been deployed to manage the situation and improve the movement of vehicles.
He added that the ministry was working with the Lagos and Ogun State Police Commands, the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) and LASTMA to reduce the congestion.
Musa explained that the ongoing rehabilitation of Kara Bridge could cause temporary inconvenience but said the work was necessary to protect the infrastructure and ensure the long-term safety and proper functioning of the bridge and surrounding road corridor.
He said the rehabilitation work would be completed soon.
The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said the agency’s officers had continued to work around the clock to improve traffic flow.
He appealed to motorists to remain patient and avoid driving against traffic, particularly when an obstruction occurs.
Bakare-Oki also advised motorists to consider alternative routes where possible.
According to him, motorists can use the Ikorodu Garage, Ogijo and Sagamu route through Lotto to connect to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
Those travelling towards Lagos and nearby areas can also consider the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, while motorists heading towards Ijebu-Ode can use the Ikorodu-Ijebu-Ode route.
The LASTMA boss urged motorists to plan their journeys ahead, familiarise themselves with alternative routes and obey instructions from authorised traffic management officers.
The government said the measures were intended to reduce pressure on the affected routes and gradually restore smoother movement for motorists and commuters using the busy Lagos-Ibadan corridor.
