Lagos Traffic Crisis Deepens as Kara Bridge Crash Traps Motorists for 14 Hours
Lagos Traffic Crisis Deepens as Kara Bridge Crash Traps Motorists for 14 Hours
Motorists and commuters on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway were subjected to hours of gridlock on Tuesday after a multiple-vehicle crash at the Kara Bridge compounded the traffic disruption caused by ongoing rehabilitation work on the bridge.
The crash, which occurred in the early hours around the Kara Bridge axis, involved seven vehicles, including a 40-foot container truck, a Toyota Hilux, an interstate bus, a Hyundai Odyssey, a Sienna, a Toyota Highlander and a Mitsubishi Hilux. Preliminary findings indicated that the container truck developed a mechanical fault, causing the driver to lose control and collide with other vehicle.
The accident blocked the carriageway and created a massive backlog of vehicles travelling between Lagos and Ogun State. Emergency responders, including LASEMA, LASTMA and the police, were deployed, while towing operators assisted in removing the damaged vehicles.
Although the vehicles were eventually cleared, the situation had already deteriorated badly. Some motorists, desperate to escape the standstill, allegedly drove against traffic, creating another bottleneck around OPIC and worsening the congestion for motorists heading into Lagos.
By Tuesday evening, the gridlock had reportedly stretched beyond the Long Bridge towards Magboro and into Lagos, with slow movement also reported around Iyana-Oworo and the Third Mainland Bridge.
One motorist told PUNCH that he spent more than five hours in the traffic and missed an appointment, while transport fares reportedly surged sharply. A journey from Iyana-Oworo to Berger that normally costs between ₦500 and ₦700 reportedly rose to about ₦2,000, while fares from Iyana-Oworo to Mowe reportedly increased from about ₦1,200 to ₦3,000.
The crisis has been worsened by ongoing rehabilitation of the Kara Bridge. The Federal Government began a two-week repair programme on September 8 to replace deteriorating expansion joints, with the work expected to run until September 22. The reduced road space means that accidents, broken-down vehicles or traffic violations can quickly trigger extensive congestion along the corridor.
As of Wednesday morning, traffic was still moving slowly around the Kara-Otedola Bridge corridor. LASTMA reported gradual movement from Otedola Bridge towards OPIC Turning, while the resulting backlog had extended beyond Long Bridge.
The Kara incident is not the only traffic challenge confronting Lagos commuters. On Tuesday evening, motorists were also stranded for hours along Lateef Jakande Road, Omole Phase 1, Isheri and Ojodu Berger, with the congestion beginning around 6:30pm and remaining heavy after 10pm.
Meanwhile, another major pressure point is emerging along the Lekki–Epe corridor. Traffic around the Lekki Deep Sea Port and Dangote Refinery corridor has reportedly intensified, with stakeholders blaming indiscriminate truck parking, poor enforcement and problems with the implementation of the electronic truck call-up system. Nearly 1,000 trucks were reportedly parked along the port access road, according to The Sun.
The latest developments underline how quickly a single accident or road restriction can cascade into a wider transport crisis in Lagos and its adjoining Ogun communities, particularly along corridors carrying large volumes of commuters and commercial traffic..
For motorists: authorities are urging road users to exercise patience, obey traffic regulations and avoid driving against traffic, as such manoeuvres can transform an already difficult situation into a wider gridlock and increase the risk of crashes.
