Many commuters along the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway and parts of Lagos State were stranded for hours on Thursday following a multiple accident on the Otedola Bridge.
Traffic on the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway worsened also due to the ongoing Kara Bridge repairs, as a section of the road was blocked by the construction company -Julius Berger.
Workers and travellers on the expressway, market women and other road users were severely affected by the gridlock.
Similarly, commuters on the outbound Lagos section were also caught in traffic after two heavy-duty trailers carrying sand and granite collided on the Otedola Bridge in the early hours of the day.
However, officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Nigeria Police and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), among others, were seen clearing debris left on the highway by the trucks.
As a result of the rescue operation, traffic from Otedola outbound Lagos stretched toward the end of Ketu area of the state.
Also, traffic authorities battled to control impatient motorists who attempted to drive against traffic.
On the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway, traffic from Lagos extended as far as 30 kilometres toward the end of Magboro area.
Intersection at the FATGBEMS Petrol Station was completely locked down, forcing many commuters to resort to trekking.
Many of the commuters, who spoke with NAN expressed frustration over the long hours spent in traffic.
A market woman, who traded at Ketu Market, Mrs Anike Idowu, told NAN that she had been stuck in traffic for about four hours without any movement.
“I am coming from Osun State where I have gone to buy plantain to sell at Ketu Market.
“The worse part of it is that I cannot leave my goods and take a bike to Ketu market, where my shop is located.
“I have been in this traffic for close to four hours now and we have yet to reach Berger bus stop not to talk of Ketu, we are trapped here,” she said.
Some other commuters travelling for a funeral ceremony in Ijebu Ode also lamented their ordeal.
One of them, Mr Aina Shodunke, said they were on convoy for a funeral in Ijebu Ode, Ogun, but got trapped in the gridlock.
“We are going for a funeral ceremony in Ijebu Ode, slated for 10.00 a.m., but as fate will have, we are still in Lagos section of the expressway at 11. 00 a.m., not knowing when we will get out of the traffic,” he said.
A LASTMA official, who spoke to NAN on condition of anonymity, attributed the accident on the Otedola Bridge to recklessness by the drivers involved.
“Articulated vehicle drivers plying Lagos/Ibadan expressway are too careless and drive recklessly.
“It is obvious that they are not careful enough because there is no impediment where the accident occurred; so, why will they have a collision on a road that is free.
“I know that many of those driving those trucks are not worthy of driving because some of them are not literate, so they do not follow the traffic rules,” he said. (NAN)
