Lagos/ Ibadan Expressway on lockdown as road repairs enter second day
The repairs of the expansion joint on Kara Bridge is taking a toll on travellers on the Lagos/ Ibadan Expressway. Yet, again, the Federal Government took what many motorists called
- By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie and Udeh Onyebuchi
The repairs of the expansion joint on Kara Bridge is taking a toll on travellers on the Lagos/ Ibadan Expressway.
Yet, again, the Federal Government took what many motorists called a wrong decision by embarking on the repairs not only without announcing the commencement of the work but the wrong timing.
As early as 2pm yesterday, hundreds of road users were trapped on this very important highway. This was heightened by travellers who tried to get out of Lagos early for Sallah holiday.
At 4pm, the traffic stretched to the old toll-gate, trapping most road users in a halt. Messages emanating from several WhatsApp platforms along the stretch sent distress messages asking residents to leave their offices and business places if they must get home before midnight.
But the Federal Controller of Works in Ogun State, Mr. Layi Komolafe, pleaded with road users to be patient, saying the repair would make driving stress-free on the highway.
On why the government chose the festive period to resume the suspended work, Komolafe said: “If we don’t do it, when will it be right to fix the joints. Soon, it will be Easter…do we shift it again? And the damaged joints have been causing accidents.”
He told this newspaper that the new contractor fixing the joints promised to use Silica Grout 928 chemical to seal the joints for a longer lifespan.
According to him, the busy nature of the road and the volume of traffic accounted for the regular damage of the joints.
A traveller, Alhaji Lookman ldris, lamented the delay and suffering motorists were going through as a result of what he called an insensitive action of government.
He said the insecurity situation should have influenced government’s thinking.
The gridlock followed the unexpected resumption of work by contractors, who returned to the site earlier than initially planned. The repairs were originally scheduled to commence after the Eid-el-Fitr holidays, declared as public holidays by the Federal Government.
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Earlier, the state government issued a traffic advisory outlining alternative routes for motorists and urged road users to plan their trips to minimise disruption.
The ministry explained that motorists heading from the Third Mainland Bridge would be redirected through Ketu, Mile 12, and Ogolonto to Ikorodu Garage, before proceeding through Sabo Roundabout to connect to Isagamu Road or Itokin Road.
It added that drivers from Lagos Island would be required to pass through Ilubinrin, Ijora Bridge, and Eko Bridge to Funsho Williams Avenue, before linking Ikorodu Road through Ojota to Ketu and continuing towards Mile 12, Ogolonto and Ikorodu Garage.
“In line with the partial closure of the bridge inward Opic/Mowe, motorists are advised to make use of alternative routes during the repair period.
“Motorists from Lagos Island are to link Ilubinrin to connect Ijora Bridge, access Eko Bridge to Funsho Williams Avenue, and link Ikorodu Road through Ojota to Ketu, before connecting Mile 12 to Ogolonto to Ikorodu Garage and linking Sabo Roundabout to Isagamu Road/Itokin Road,” the ministry stated.
The advisory also highlighted an additional diversion through Ikorodu Garage and Sabo Roundabout, connecting Ogijo, Likosi, Shimawa, Lotto and Mowe for onward journeys.
It also noted that motorists can also link Ikorodu Garage through Sabo Roundabout to link Ogijo to Likosi and connect Shimawa to Lotto to link Mowe and connect their destinations,” it added.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq, in a phone interview said officials had been deployed to manage the situation.
He explained that the traffic congestion was due to major repair works on one side of the expressway, leaving only two lanes open for motorists.
He added that LASTMA’s General Manager, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, had mobilised personnel to the Kara Bridge area to monitor traffic and promptly clear any breakdowns, particularly involving heavy-duty trucks.
Authorities have urged motorists to plan their journeys and make use of the designated alternative routes to minimise delays as repair
