Kara Bridge Gridlock Worsens As Container-laden Trailer Falls

Traffic congestion on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway worsened yesterday after a container-carrying trailer fell onto the Kara Bridge, forcing its closure to outward-bound traffic.

The incident, which occurred in the afternoon, brought movement to a standstill on the Lagos-bound section of the bridge, with the emerging gridlock extending beyond the Berger area.

The latest disruption has compounded the traffic challenges being experienced on the busy corridor due to ongoing rehabilitation of the bridge.

Motorists travelling towards Lagos have been particularly affected, as vehicles are currently being forced to share the available side of the expressway at Kara Bridge.

The authorities have begun efforts to create an alternative passage for motorists by removing barriers from a section of the bridge that had been closed to traffic for rehabilitation.

The section is expected to be opened to vehicles as part of measures to ease the congestion and restore movement along the corridor.

Officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) and their counterparts from Ogun State have been deployed to the area to manage traffic and improve vehicular movement.

The accident occurred amid the two-week rehabilitation of Kara Bridge, which began on 8 September 2026, following an earlier postponement to allow for additional traffic management planning.

The rehabilitation, directed by the Minister of Works, David Umahi, involves replacing deteriorating expansion joints on the bridge.

The project is expected to be completed by 22 September.

The ongoing repairs had already resulted in significant traffic congestion along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, with motorists experiencing delays stretching from Kara Bridge towards Berger and other parts of Lagos.

The latest trailer accident has further worsened the situation, raising concerns over movement along one of the busiest routes linking Lagos with Ogun State and other parts of the country.