Posted by Chinenye on Thu 17th Sep, 2026 - tori.ng
Repair work at Kara Bridge has turned the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway into a nightmare for commuters, with traffic stretching across several routes.
(Heavy Traffic. Photo by Vanguard News)
Heavy traffic has choked the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway as work continues on deteriorating expansion joints at Kara Bridge on the Lagos-Ogun border.
Motorists and commuters spent hours trapped Wednesday, with gridlock stretching back to Alapere Road toward the Third Mainland Bridge and spilling onto Ikorodu Road.
The congestion left the road completely blocked from 7up down to Berger.
Commercial buses became scarce as drivers hiked fares over 200 percent to cover longer journey times.
Commuters abandoned vehicles and trekked for hours to reach their destinations while some sat stranded at stops like Ojota, Alausa, Magodo and Berger.
One motorist, Adewale Olumide, spent four hours driving from Ikorodu to Berger, describing conditions as horrific standstill traffic.
Heavy rains and a truck crash Tuesday night worsened the mess.
The two-week repair project involves replacing expansion joints to improve safety and road structure on the busy corridor.
Works Minister David Umahi directed the effort which was initially planned for August but delayed after public complaints about short notice and lack of traffic management.
Lagos Transport Commissioner Oluwaseun Osiyemi blamed motorists driving against traffic for worsening the situation.
He said both Lagos and Ogun governments have deployed over 100 traffic and security personnel on the axis, with repair work expected to finish soon followed by two or three days' healing time before full reopening.
The FRSC, Police, LASTMA and TRACE have coordinated deployment around Kara Bridge and adjoining areas to manage diversions and clear obstructions.
Officials advised motorists without urgent business to use alternative routes including Ikorodu-Ogijo corridor, Shimawa Bridge or old Abeokuta routes, particularly during peak hours.