Motorists and commuters on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway faced hours of severe traffic congestion on Tuesday and into Wednesday morning as the Federal Government began a two-week repair of damaged expansion joints on the Kara Bridge.
The Federal Ministry of Works commenced the rehabilitation on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, under the directive of Works Minister Senator David Umahi.
The project, scheduled to run until September 22, involves replacing deteriorating expansion joints to enhance structural integrity, road safety, and long-term traffic flow on the critical corridor linking Lagos to Ogun State and the rest of the South-West.
Work is being carried out in phases, with one half of the affected section closed at a time while vehicles share the remaining open half under controlled traffic conditions. Despite these measures, the restrictions quickly triggered a massive backlog. Traffic stretched from the Kara Bridge area in Ogun State to the 7Up Junction, Secretariat, Berger, Ojota, and beyond in Lagos. Congestion also affected approaches from Ikeja, Agege, and the Otedola underpass, reaching Otunba Jobi Fele Way and surrounding roads.
By Tuesday afternoon, the gridlock had left many passengers stranded at major bus stops. Commercial vehicle operators hiked fares amid the chaos, while some commuters abandoned vehicles and walked parts of the route. Joint teams from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE), police, and military personnel were deployed to alternate traffic flows and prevent a complete lockdown.
The repairs had earlier been postponed from a planned August start following public outcry over short notice and concerns about traffic management. Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation Oluwaseun Osiyemi had issued an advisory urging motorists to plan journeys carefully and exercise patience during the exercise.
As of Wednesday morning, September 9, the disruption continued to affect free movement along the axis, with officials remaining on the ground to manage the situation. The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway remains one of Nigeria’s busiest highways, carrying heavy volumes of private cars, commercial buses, and trucks, leaving limited alternative routes for many travellers.
Authorities continue to appeal for cooperation as the phased works proceed, emphasising the long-term benefits for safer and smoother travel once the expansion joints are fully replaced.
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