Motorists travelling along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway have faced severe traffic congestion following ongoing repair works on the Kara Bridge, with the gridlock stretching more than 20 kilometres into Lagos.
The traffic crisis has left some commuters spending up to six hours on a journey that would normally take considerably less time.
The situation was aggravated by rainfall, which disrupted movement and affected aspects of the ongoing repair work.
A report by PUNCH said the congestion extended from the Kara Bridge area towards Lagos, leaving motorists stranded and forcing some travellers to consider alternative routes.
Repairs Behind the Gridlock
The Federal Government had announced a partial closure of sections of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to allow the replacement of damaged expansion joints on the Kara-Berger Bridge section.
The repair operation was scheduled to run for about two weeks, from September 8 to September 22, 2026.
The affected bridge is one of the most important transport links between Lagos and Ogun State and handles heavy volumes of passenger and commercial traffic daily.
With fewer lanes available around the repair zone, traffic has quickly accumulated during peak periods.
The problem becomes more acute when rainfall slows movement or interrupts construction activities.
Commuters Turn to Alternative Transport
The congestion has also created opportunities for commercial motorcycle operators, who have been transporting stranded passengers from Berger and other Lagos locations towards communities such as Ibafo and Mowe.
For many commuters, the motorcycles have offered a quicker alternative to remaining trapped in the long queues.
However, the disruption has also raised concerns about safety, travel costs and the economic consequences of prolonged delays.
Businesses dependent on daily movement between Lagos and Ogun may face increased operating costs as vehicles spend longer periods on the road.
Traffic Management
Traffic officials and security personnel have been deployed around strategic points to manage vehicle movement and prevent the congestion from spreading further.
However, the sheer volume of traffic on the corridor means that traffic control measures alone may not completely eliminate delays while repair works continue.
Motorists have been advised to plan journeys carefully and consider alternative routes where possible.
The Kara Bridge repairs are expected to continue to test traffic-management arrangements along one of Nigeria’s busiest transport corridors until the affected works are completed.