Lagos deploys more traffic officers as truck, Kara Bridge works worsen Lagos-Ibadan gridlock

The Lagos State Government has deployed additional traffic officers to ease severe congestion on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway following a fallen truck and ongoing rehabilitation at Kara Bridge.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr Olawale Musa, made this known on Wednesday while appealing to motorists to remain patient and comply with traffic regulations.

Musa said the fallen truck had been evacuated by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), but the resulting congestion was compounded by motorists driving against traffic.

He said additional traffic officers had been deployed to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway corridor to improve traffic movement and manage the situation.

According to him, the Ministry is working with relevant stakeholders, including the Lagos and Ogun State Police Commands, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), and LASTMA, to restore smoother traffic flow.

Musa also acknowledged the inconvenience caused by the ongoing rehabilitation work at Kara Bridge, but stressed that the project was necessary to preserve the critical transport infrastructure and ensure the long-term safety, functionality and resilience of the corridor.

He assured motorists that the rehabilitation work would be completed soon.

Also speaking, LASTMA General Manager, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, said the agency’s personnel were working round the clock to manage traffic and minimise the impact of the congestion.

Bakare-Oki urged motorists to remain patient and warned them against driving against traffic whenever an obstruction occurs, noting that such actions could further worsen congestion and create additional safety risks.

He said LASTMA would continue its public advocacy campaigns to encourage voluntary compliance with traffic rules and regulations.

The LASTMA boss also advised motorists to consider alternative routes to reduce pressure on the Kara Bridge corridor.

He recommended the Ikorodu Garage–Ogijo–Sagamu route, connecting through Lotto to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, for motorists seeking alternative access.

Motorists travelling towards Lagos and adjoining destinations could also use the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, while those heading towards Ijebu-Ode were advised to consider the Ikorodu–Ijebu-Ode route.

The government urged motorists to familiarise themselves with the alternative routes, plan their journeys ahead and obey the directives of accredited traffic management personnel.

Motorists can also report traffic-related issues to LASTMA through its 3367 hotline for prompt intervention.