The Lagos and Ogun State governments have sent more traffic officers to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. This is to help manage the heavy traffic around the Kara Bridge area.
This action comes after a long traffic jam left many drivers and passengers stuck for hours on Tuesday and Wednesday. The situation worsened due to a crash involving multiple vehicles and ongoing repair work on the bridge.
The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation shared a statement on X. They said on Wednesday that the tanker causing the latest delay had been removed by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority.
Olawale Musa, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, noted that some drivers were making things worse by driving against traffic. He said more traffic officers are now in place on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to help manage the situation and improve traffic flow.
Musa added that the ministry will keep working with important partners. This includes the Lagos and Ogun State Police Commands, the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps and LASTMA to help ease the traffic.
He mentioned that the repairs at Kara Bridge might cause some short-term issues. But he emphasized that this work is necessary. It will help keep the transport system safe and functional in the long run.
Musa said the repairs will finish soon.
Olalekan Bakare-Oki, the General Manager of LASTMA, also spoke. He said the agency's workers are on the job day and night to ensure that traffic moves more smoothly.
He asked drivers to be patient and not to drive against traffic when there is a blockage on the road. Bakare-Oki said the agency will keep campaigning for better traffic rule compliance. He also advised drivers to use alternative routes.
He said, “Motorists can access the Ikorodu Garage, Ogijo, Sagamu route, connecting through Lotto to the Lagos, Ibadan Expressway. Those travelling towards Lagos and nearby areas may also consider the Lagos, Abeokuta Expressway.”
The LASTMA boss also said, “Motorists heading towards Ijebu-Ode may use the Ikorodu, Ijebu-Ode route to lessen pressure on the Kara Bridge area and help with traffic distribution.”
In the meantime, Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun said the state has activated the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency. This is to strengthen traffic control and help road users near Kara Bridge and other parts of the expressway.
Abiodun shared a statement on his X handle on Wednesday. He said TRACE personnel are working with security and emergency agencies to clear blockages. They aim to prevent more traffic jams and improve movement along the affected area.
He urged drivers to be careful in the area, avoid driving against traffic and not to create extra lanes. He said such actions often make traffic worse and delay emergency services.
“Commercial drivers and truck operators are especially asked to be careful and follow all traffic instructions,” the governor said.
Abiodun said the state government's main focus is to protect lives, keep order and reduce the troubles faced by commuters.
“We will keep watching the situation and send the needed staff and resources until normal traffic flow returns,” Abiodun said.
“We appreciate the patience and cooperation of all road users.”
This situation followed the traffic jam on Tuesday on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Drivers were stuck for hours after a crash involving seven vehicles at the Kara Bridge. This crash added to the ongoing repair work.
The crash first stopped movement towards Ogun State. The resulting traffic jam stretched beyond the Long Bridge towards Magboro and into Lagos.
As the traffic grew worse, some drivers chose to go against traffic to escape. This caused another blockage for cars heading towards Lagos.
Even after the crashed vehicles were cleared, the drivers who had gone against traffic caused another delay at the OPIC end of the road as they tried to get back into the correct lane.
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