On Sunday, commuters and motorists found themselves stranded for hours along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway due to multiple accidents involving two trucks that toppled over at different points along the road, further exacerbating the already busy traffic situation.
The recurring gridlock on the expressway has left road users expressing their dissatisfaction with the ongoing situation.
Reported by PUNCH, both ends of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway were heavily congested with traffic on Saturday, setting the tone for a challenging weekend for motorists and commuters.
The problematic scenario escalated on Sunday, the day of Eid, as one truck overturned near the Otedola Bridge area, spilling its load onto the road, while a similar incident occurred along the Long Bridge section.
Our reporters at the scene witnessed stranded passengers disembarking from their vehicles and trekking long distances to circumvent the blocked segments of the expressway.
PUNCH Metro noted an increase in fares from Berger Bus Stop to Mowe, Ibafo, and Arepo, rising from the usual N400 to N1000 as a result of the traffic gridlock.
As officials from the Federal Road Safety Corps worked diligently to remove the toppled truck and restore the flow of traffic, a stranded commuter shared their frustration with our reporters, highlighting the prolonged hours spent at a standstill.
Expressing their dismay over the distressing traffic conditions, some road users called upon the Federal Government to implement lasting solutions to alleviate congestion along the route.
In a similar incident, a truck loaded with soft drinks overturned along the Long Bridge section, further exacerbating the traffic situation.
Confirming the incident at the Long Bridge section, Florence Okpe, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Sector of the Federal Road Safety Corps, attributed the accident to overloading and mechanical failure in a phone conversation with PUNCH Metro.
While highlighting the challenging traffic conditions, some commuters shared their struggles during interviews, emphasizing the need for a sustainable resolution by the authorities.
Motorists were urged to exercise caution during this festive period and avoid overspeeding to prevent avoidable accidents on the expressway.