Lagos deploys more officers as Kara Bridge gridlock worsens

Lagos State has deployed more traffic officers along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway as repairs, crashes and motorists driving against traffic worsen gridlock around Kara Bridge.

The congestion has affected Kara Bridge, Long Bridge, Magboro and Berger. Daily Post reported that some motorists and commuters spent more than 12 hours on the road.

Olawale Musa, Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, said LASTMA had cleared a fallen truck but that drivers moving against traffic had compounded the delays. Additional officers were sent to strategic points to regulate movement.

The ministry is coordinating with LASTMA, the Lagos and Ogun police commands and Ogun State’s Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, TRACE.

The deployment follows ongoing repairs to the bridge’s expansion joints, which NaijaTrend reported here. Vanguard reported on September 16 that the work had caused heavy congestion on the expressway.

Routes suggested by LASTMA

LASTMA General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki advised motorists to plan ahead and consider routes suited to their destinations. Daily Post listed the Ikorodu Garage-Ogijo-Sagamu route through Lotto for connecting to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Motorists travelling towards Lagos and surrounding areas were advised to consider the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway. Those heading towards Ijebu-Ode could use the Ikorodu-Ijebu-Ode route.

Bakare-Oki said traffic personnel remained on duty around the clock and urged drivers to follow authorised officers’ directions rather than drive against traffic when they encounter an obstruction.

Musa said the bridge work was needed for long-term safety and could continue to cause temporary delays. He said it would be completed soon, without giving a specific completion date in the report.

Sources: Daily Post, Vanguard