Motorists groan, lament man-hour loss over Kara Bridge repair

Several motorists were left frustrated on Tuesday night as hours-long traffic gridlock triggered by ongoing repair works at the Kara-Berger Bridge on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway resulted in significant loss of man-hours.

The gridlock, which intensified from about 4pm, left hundreds of motorists, many of them workers returning home after the day’s activities, trapped for hours along the busy corridor.

As of 9pm, several motorists said they had remained virtually stuck in the same spot, with little or no movement recorded.

The motorists appealed to the Lagos State Government, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) and other relevant agencies to urgently intervene and improve traffic management around the corridor.

They particularly called for better coordination among the traffic agencies to restore order, reduce travel time and protect members of the motoring public from the hardship caused by the prolonged gridlock.

The development followed the ongoing replacement of expansion joints at the Kara-Berger Bridge, a major intervention being carried out by TRACE in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Works and other relevant stakeholders.

TRACE had, on September 5, notified motorists of the commencement of the replacement works, following a directive by the Minister of Works.

According to the agency, the repairs commenced on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, and are expected to be completed by September 22, 2026.

TRACE said the intervention was aimed at addressing deteriorating expansion joints at the bridge, improving road safety and structural integrity, as well as facilitating smoother vehicular movement along the critical Lagos-Ibadan corridor.

The agency had also warned that motorists should expect lane restrictions and possible delays, particularly during peak periods, as traffic management measures would be implemented to provide a safe working environment for the contractor and minimise disruption.

It stated that relevant traffic management and security agencies would be deployed to the corridor to regulate vehicular movement, maintain order and ensure the safety of motorists and other road users throughout the construction period.

TRACE urged motorists to remain patient and disciplined, noting that the temporary restrictions were necessary to facilitate the safe and timely execution of the project.

The agency also assured the public that it would continue to work with the Federal Ministry of Works, the contractor and other relevant agencies to minimise traffic disruption and ensure the free and safe movement of motorists throughout the duration of the works.

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