Motorists and commuters on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway have been battling a grueling traffic gridlock that began on Wednesday night, causing widespread disruptions and delays.
Stretching across major sections of the expressway outbound Lagos—including Kara, Opic, and the Long Bridge—the congestion has left countless individuals stranded.
Reports indicate that the situation was triggered by a combination of factors: a traffic accident, multiple vehicle breakdowns, and a diversion at the Long Bridge due to ongoing maintenance work.
The chaos has spilled over to inbound lanes, as desperate outbound motorists attempt to bypass the gridlock by using the opposite side of the road, further exacerbating the situation.
Commuters report spending hours stuck in traffic, with many unable to make it to work on time Thursday morning.
The diversion on the Long Bridge, which has been in place for months, remains a point of frustration for regular road users.
Despite its necessity for infrastructure maintenance, many are calling for expedited work or better traffic management strategies to reduce the impact on daily commuters.
“It’s unbearable,” lamented a commuter stranded near Kara. “I left home at 5 a.m., hoping to beat the traffic, but I’m still stuck hours later.”
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, a vital route connecting Lagos with other parts of the country, has long been plagued by infrastructure challenges and heavy traffic, particularly during periods of repair or construction.
Authorities are being urged to address the immediate causes of this gridlock while improving contingency measures to prevent a repeat of such chaos in the future.
For now, many motorists and commuters are left hoping for a resolution as the gridlock persists, affecting economic activities and testing the patience of road users.