The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is currently experiencing a major traffic nightmare as crucial repairs get underway on the Kara Bridge. Starting Tuesday, September 8, 2026, the Federal Government began work on the bridge's damaged expansion joints. This process is expected to last two weeks, concluding on September 22, 2026. However, by Tuesday and Wednesday morning, the impact was already dire. Vehicles were stranded for hours, and traffic stretched for kilometres.

What was supposed to ensure long-term safety and better flow is, for now, causing chaos. The gridlock isn't just a minor inconvenience; it's a full-blown standstill. Traffic stretches from the Kara Bridge in Ogun State all the way past the 7Up Junction in Lagos. By Tuesday afternoon, the jam had extended past the Secretariat Bus Stop. Even commuters trying to get to the Otedola underpass from Ikeja and Agege found themselves stuck.

The government had actually planned to start these repairs in August. However, public complaints about short notice and the need for better traffic management pushed the date back. Still, the delayed start hasn't eased the pain for those on the road. Authorities deployed a heavy presence of police, military, LASTMA, and FRSC officials. They are trying to manage the flow by alternating traffic.

Yet, even with all hands on deck, the entry and exit points to OPIC, near Kara Bridge, remain severely congested.

Some drivers, desperate to make up time, started using the wrong side of the road as early as 5:30 AM on Wednesday. And where there's chaos, there are always those looking to profit. Street urchins were seen chasing commercial drivers, trying to make a quick buck off the disrupted situation.

Commuters are understandably frustrated.

Thompson, another frustrated driver, voiced his concerns about the next two weeks. "We can't continue like this. If the situation is like this today, what will it look like for the next two weeks?" he asked. He pleaded with authorities to find a permanent fix.

Babatunde Akinbiyi, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE), urged for patience. He mentioned that TRACE had anticipated issues and even issued a traffic advisory beforehand. "We can only appeal to motorists to bear with us for the time being because the repair works are necessary to ensure smooth movement and the safety of road users along the corridor," Akinbiyi stated. He advised non-essential travellers to avoid the route.

This ambitious project, led by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, involves replacing aging expansion joints. The goal is to boost road safety and structural integrity on this incredibly busy highway. The Lagos State Government, through its Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, advised all travellers using the corridor to plan their journeys meticulously. To try and ease the burden, the plan is to close only one side of the affected section at a time. This will allow traffic to share the open side interchangeably.