A container-laden truck has crashed into road barriers and other vehicles at the exit of Kara Bridge on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, triggering a major traffic backlog extending towards New Garage.
The incident occurred on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, amid ongoing rehabilitation work on the Kara Bridge, further complicating movement along one of the busiest transportation corridors linking Lagos with Ogun State and other parts of southwestern Nigeria.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the crash, stating that the 40-foot container truck reportedly suffered brake failure before losing control and ramming into the demarcation blocks and other vehicles at the exit of the bridge.
According to the traffic management agency, recovery and evacuation operations commenced shortly after the incident in an effort to remove the damaged vehicles and other obstructions from the roadway.
LASTMA said the resulting obstruction caused traffic to build up significantly, with the backlog extending as far as New Garage.
The latest crash adds another layer of difficulty for motorists already navigating the Kara Bridge corridor, where rehabilitation work has been affecting traffic flow since the Federal Government commenced repairs to damaged expansion joints on September 8.
The bridge rehabilitation is expected to continue until September 22, 2026. Authorities had earlier announced a traffic management arrangement under which one section of the affected carriageway would be closed while motorists use the available section in alternating directions.
The ongoing construction has already generated significant congestion along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, with previous traffic backlogs stretching deep into Lagos.
Recent reports showed that motorists had spent several hours trapped in traffic following the commencement of the repair project, with congestion at different points extending towards the 7Up Junction, Secretariat area and Otedola axis.
The latest accident is therefore likely to put additional pressure on traffic movement around Kara, particularly because the available road space has already been reduced by the rehabilitation exercise.
In a separate incident reported around the same area, LASTMA said a loaded trailer collided with a Sports Utility Vehicle on Kara Bridge inward Mowe.
The two incidents required traffic management and recovery efforts to prevent further disruption along the corridor.
Traffic officials and security personnel were deployed to the affected locations to regulate movement, assist motorists and facilitate the removal of the vehicles involved.
LASTMA urged motorists to remain patient and cooperate with officers deployed to manage the situation while recovery operations continue.
The Agency’s intervention is particularly important given the strategic importance of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, which carries large volumes of passenger and commercial traffic every day.
The route serves as a major link between Lagos and several communities in Ogun State, including Berger, Kara, Arepo, Magboro, Ibafo, Mowe and the wider Ibadan corridor. A major obstruction at Kara can therefore quickly affect traffic movement across several adjoining routes.
The incident also highlights the risks associated with articulated vehicles on heavily congested highways, particularly where emergency stopping distances can be severely limited.
Although LASTMA attributed the immediate crash to reported brake failure, the circumstances surrounding the mechanical problem would ordinarily require further assessment to establish the exact cause and determine whether any other factors contributed to the loss of control.
The latest incident comes after several previous crashes involving trucks and other vehicles around the Kara Bridge corridor.
The area has historically been vulnerable to traffic disruptions because of the high volume of articulated vehicles, commercial buses and private cars using the highway. Previous accidents involving container trucks have also resulted in lengthy traffic delays and, in some cases, fatalities.
For motorists travelling towards Mowe, Ibafo and Ibadan, the situation is particularly challenging because the ongoing bridge rehabilitation has already reduced the available carriageway.
Authorities have consequently continued to advise road users to plan their journeys carefully and avoid unnecessary trips through the affected corridor where possible.
The Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency (TRACE) had similarly advised motorists ahead of the bridge repairs to cooperate with traffic officials and consider alternative routes where practicable. The Agency said the rehabilitation was necessary to restore the structural integrity of the bridge and improve road safety.
Meanwhile, LASTMA maintains that its personnel will continue working with other relevant agencies to manage traffic and clear obstructions from the highway.
The Agency has also encouraged road users to follow instructions from traffic officials at the scene instead of making unauthorised manoeuvres that could worsen congestion or create additional safety risks.
As recovery operations continue, motorists using the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway are advised to exercise caution around Kara Bridge and allow for additional travel time.
The combination of the ongoing bridge repairs and Tuesday’s truck crash means traffic conditions around the Kara-New Garage corridor may remain difficult until the damaged vehicles and other obstructions are completely removed.
Motorists are therefore encouraged to monitor traffic updates before embarking on journeys through the corridor and cooperate with traffic managers as efforts continue to restore normal movement.
LASTMA’s current official platform also provides traffic-related updates and allows road users to report incidents and obstructions. The Agency’s toll-free emergency number is 3367.
The authorities are expected to continue monitoring the situation as recovery operations progress and traffic flow gradually improves along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.