Kara Bridge Repairs Bring Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to Standstill as Motorists Lament Hours of Gridlock
Motorists travelling along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway were subjected to hours of frustration on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, as repair works on the Kara Bridge triggered a massive traffic gridlock stretching across parts of Lagos and Ogun states.
The traffic crisis, which intensified during the afternoon, left thousands of commuters and motorists trapped for hours, with the congestion extending from the Kara Bridge axis in Ogun State towards the 7Up Junction and other adjoining areas in Lagos.
Global Mirror News gathered that by about 3:30pm, the gridlock had moved beyond the Secretariat Bus Stop, while motorists approaching the Otedola Underpass from Ikeja and Agege were also caught in the traffic.
The congestion reportedly extended towards Otunba Jobi Fele Way, creating additional pressure on surrounding roads as motorists attempted to escape the increasingly difficult situation on the expressway.
The development followed the commencement of a two-week intervention to replace damaged expansion joints on the Kara-Berger Bridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
The Federal Government had announced that the repair work would commence on Tuesday, September 8, and continue until September 22, 2026.
Security agencies deployed as traffic worsens
In response to the situation, a heavy contingent of security and traffic management personnel was deployed around the affected corridor.
Officials of the Nigeria Police Force, military, Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority and Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps were seen managing the movement of vehicles.
Traffic officials reportedly resorted to alternating vehicles travelling towards Kara from Isheri and Ojodu with those coming from the expressway in an effort to prevent the entire corridor from becoming completely paralysed.
However, additional repair activities around the entry and exit points of the bridge towards the OPIC area further aggravated the congestion at the Kara axis.
‘There is no alternative route’ – motorists
For many motorists, the situation was more than an ordinary traffic delay, particularly for those travelling towards Mowe, Ibafo, Arepo and other communities along the Lagos-Ibadan corridor.
One motorist, Tunji Kazeem, described the experience as unbearable, saying motorists travelling towards Mowe had very limited alternatives.
Kazeem said he left Oshodi at about 1pm but found himself trapped around the 7Up area for a prolonged period.
According to him, while the repair work is necessary, better traffic planning should have been put in place to reduce the hardship imposed on commuters.
Another motorist, identified as Jelili, complained about what he described as the recurring nature of traffic problems along the expressway.
He said motorists were regularly subjected to gridlock caused by road repairs, roadside activities and accidents, urging authorities to develop a permanent strategy for managing traffic along the corridor.
Kunle Bankole, another motorist caught in the congestion, also appealed to the authorities to find a lasting solution to the persistent traffic challenges.
He expressed frustration that commuters using the busy road were often left to bear the consequences whenever problems occurred along the corridor.
OGSEMA urges motorists to avoid the route
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, Babatunde Akinbiyi, appealed to motorists to remain patient and cooperate with traffic officials throughout the repair period.
Akinbiyi explained that the authorities anticipated the possibility of severe congestion and had issued a traffic advisory before the commencement of the intervention.
He said motorists without urgent business around the affected axis should avoid the route during the repair period.
According to him, the repair works are necessary because the damaged expansion joints require urgent attention to protect road users and maintain the structural integrity of the bridge.
Why the Kara Bridge repair matters
The Kara-Berger section is one of the busiest portions of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, serving as a major gateway between Lagos and Ogun State and connecting millions of commuters, commercial vehicles and heavy-duty trucks travelling between Lagos and other parts of the country.
The Federal Government’s intervention is therefore aimed at addressing deteriorating expansion joints, improving road safety and preventing further damage to the bridge infrastructure.
However, the first day of the repair demonstrated the enormous traffic pressure that can result from restricting movement on the corridor.
With the repairs scheduled to continue until September 22, 2026, motorists using the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway have been advised to plan their journeys carefully, allow additional travel time and follow instructions from traffic management officials.
Authorities are also expected to sustain traffic control operations throughout the intervention to minimise the disruption and prevent the already notorious corridor from becoming completely paralysed.
Global Mirror News will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates on traffic conditions and the progress of the Kara Bridge repairs.
