Motorists and commuters travelling along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway were left stranded for more than 14 hours on Tuesday after a multiple vehicle accident at the Kara Bridge compounded the traffic problems caused by ongoing repair works on the busy highway.
The situation began to worsen in the early hours of Tuesday, with motorists heading from Lagos towards Ogun State already experiencing serious congestion around the Kara area from about 7am.
The traffic became increasingly difficult as the day progressed, leaving thousands of motorists and passengers stuck on the major route connecting Lagos with several parts of Ogun State and other destinations in the South-West...READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE .
The accident involved seven vehicles and occurred around the Kara Bridge, an area that has already been experiencing traffic challenges because of ongoing repair work on the bridge.
Emergency responders were alerted to the incident in the morning, with the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency deploying its response team to the scene shortly after receiving the distress call.
The emergency team arrived at the location to assist with the situation and support efforts to manage the aftermath of the crash.
Although the accident caused significant disruption, no death was recorded in the incident. However, the combination of the crash, ongoing construction activities and the heavy volume of vehicles using the route created a severe traffic bottleneck.
Traffic management officials also identified driving against traffic as another factor that worsened the situation. Some motorists reportedly attempted to use the wrong side of the road in an effort to escape the congestion, further complicating efforts to restore normal movement.
The situation became even more difficult later in the day after another accident occurred around the Kara axis. Traffic officials remained in the area into the night as they worked to control the growing congestion and assist motorists.
The Kara Bridge has been undergoing repairs to damaged expansion joints, and the construction work has already resulted in significant delays for road users.
The latest incident therefore added another layer of difficulty to an area that has become particularly sensitive to traffic disruptions. With a large number of vehicles using the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway daily, even a relatively short obstruction can quickly result in long queues extending several kilometres.
For motorists travelling from Lagos towards Ogun State, the congestion caused considerable delays and disrupted journeys that would normally take far less time.
Passengers travelling on commercial buses were also among those affected, with some commuters spending several hours on the road as vehicles moved slowly or remained stationary for extended periods.
The incident once again highlights the importance of effective traffic management and strict compliance with road regulations, particularly on major highways where accidents can quickly create widespread congestion.
Motorists have also been urged to exercise patience and avoid driving against traffic during periods of heavy congestion, as such actions can make an already difficult situation worse and increase the risk of additional crashes.
With repair work continuing around the Kara Bridge, road users are expected to experience further traffic challenges until the affected section is fully restored.
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway remains one of the most important transportation routes in the South-West, linking Lagos with Ogun State and providing a major connection to other parts of Nigeria.
The latest 14-hour gridlock has renewed concerns about the impact of accidents and road construction on motorists who depend on the highway every day, while authorities continue efforts to keep traffic moving and minimise disruptions along the route.
