Oyindamola Ogunbowale
A massive traffic gridlock around the Kara Bridge has left motorists and commuters stranded for hours, with some spending more than 10 hours on the Lagos Ibadan Expressway.
The worsening situation followed ongoing repair works on the Kara Bridge, which were further compounded by a multiple-vehicle crash that brought movement along the busy corridor to a near standstill.
Motorists travelling between Lagos and Ogun have been forced to endure hours of crawling traffic, while the congestion has stretched through adjoining sections of the expressway and put pressure on connecting routes.
Some commuters reportedly spent between eight and 10 hours in traffic, while others were trapped for more than 14 hours at the peak of the gridlock.
The situation has also affected movement around the Mowe Ibafo axis, with traffic backing up towards the NASFAT turning.
The Lagos Ibadan Expressway is a major federal corridor connecting Lagos with Ogun and other parts of the country, making prolonged disruption on the route particularly significant for thousands of daily commuters and commercial motorists.
The gridlock has sparked frustration among commuters, many of whom have lamented lost working hours, missed appointments and the difficulty of getting home after spending several hours on the road.
Traffic authorities have urged motorists to follow diversion and traffic-management instructions and avoid driving against traffic, warning that such actions could further worsen the already difficult situation.
