Lagos deploys more officers to ease Kara Bridge gridlock, advises motorists on alternative routes

The Lagos State Government has bolstered traffic management personnel along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway due to a significant gridlock that lasted over a day. The congestion impacted multiple sections, including Kara Bridge, Long Bridge, Magboro, and Berger, with factors such as a fallen truck, ongoing construction, and multiple crashes contributing to the issue.

The state government urged motorists to stay patient while agencies stepped up efforts to alleviate the congestion and resume normal traffic flow. Olawale Musa, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, confirmed that the fallen truck had been cleared by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA.

However, Musa highlighted that the situation was exacerbated by motorists driving against traffic to avoid the congestion. More traffic officers were deployed at key areas of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to manage vehicular movement and reduce the gridlock. The ministry is working with security and traffic management agencies, including police commands, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps, TRACE, and LASTMA, to handle the situation.

Musa also mentioned that rehabilitation work at Kara Bridge might cause temporary delays to ensure the bridge's safety and functionality. LASTMA General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki reported that agency personnel were on duty 24/7 to improve traffic flow. He advised motorists to remain patient, avoid driving against traffic, and consider alternative routes like Ikorodu Garage, Ogijo, Sagamu, Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, and Ikorodu-Ijebu-Ode to reduce traffic volume at Kara Bridge.

Motorists were instructed to plan their journeys in advance, familiarize themselves with alternative routes, and follow directives from authorized traffic management personnel to facilitate smoother movement for everyone.