Container truck crashes into vehicles on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

A 40-foot container-laden truck on Tuesday crashed into demarcation blocks and other vehicles at the exit of Kara Bridge on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, causing traffic to build up to New Garage.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) stated that the truck reportedly suffered brake failure before the crash.

“A 40ft container laden truck reportedly had a brake failure and rammed into the demarcation blocks and other vehicles at the exit of Kara Bridge,” the agency said in a post on X.

LASTMA noted that its officials and police officers were deployed to the scene to control traffic, while the affected vehicles were being evacuated.

The crash happened amid ongoing repair work on Kara Bridge, where the federal government is replacing damaged expansion joints.

The two-week repair began on 8 September and is scheduled to end on 22 September.

The Acting Controller, Federal Ministry of Works, Ogun State, Richard Adeleye, told journalists during an inspection of the affected portion of the expressway.

Mr Adeleye explained that the repair had become necessary because the expansion joints had exceeded their service life and were posing risks to motorists using the busy highway.

He noted that the work would be carried out in phases to minimise its impact on traffic. One half of the affected section was initially closed while motorists use the other half under strict traffic control.

“There will be traffic control here from the 8th of this month, which will last for two weeks, precisely because of the curing that is expected before it is opened to traffic,” he said.

“We will first work on half of the expansion joint to allow traffic to go slowly on the other half of the carriageway. After one week, we will switch to the other end.”

The work has led to traffic restrictions around the bridge and the adjoining sections of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Kara Bridge has been the scene of several crashes involving heavy-duty vehicles.

In January, two people were killed in a multiple-vehicle crash around the Kara axis.

LASTMA also reported another crash on Tuesday involving a loaded trailer and a Sport Utility Vehicle on the bridge inward to Mowe.

The agency advised motorists using the route to drive with caution and follow the directions of traffic officials at the scene.