Commuters and motorists were held for several hours along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Sunday following multiple accidents where two trucks fell at different sections of the expressway thereby worsening the traffic situation on the busy road.
This is just as the road users expressed their frustration over the recurring gridlock on the expressway.
PUNCH had reported on Sunday that it was a tough day for motorists and commuters, as both ends of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway were grounded by traffic on Saturday.
The situation became worse on Sunday (Eid day) when a loaded truck fell to its side on the Otedola Bridge area of the expressway and spilt its contents on the road with a similar incident along the Long Bridge section.
Our correspondents, who monitored the traffic situation, observed stranded passengers disembarking from their vehicles and walking long distances to bypass the blocked sections of the expressway.
PUNCH Metro also noted a fare increase from Berger Bus Stop to Mowe, Ibafo, and Arepo, rising from the usual N400 to N1000.
While the Federal Road Safety Corps officials worked to tow the fallen truck and restore the free flow of traffic, a stranded commuter told our correspondents that they had spent at least two hours in one spot.
“It is a terrible experience today. I spent over two hours on traffic after navigating the one after the Berger end. The FRSC should do something to end this scourge”, the commuter said.
Giving an update on the incident at the Otedola Bridge area of the expressway, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority in a statement on its Facebook page on Sunday, noted that the road was partially closed to allow for the trans-loading of the content of the truck.
The statement read, “There is (an) ongoing trans-loading of contents at Otedola Inward Berger where a lone accident that involved a loaded trailer occurred.
“Hence, the road will be partially closed soon for the complete recovery of the articulated vehicle.
“Motorists are also advised to drive from Secretariat to link CMS road, connect Otedola and continue their journey towards Berger.”
In a similar incident, a truck loaded with soft drinks fell along the Long Bridge section of the expressway, thereby worsening the traffic situation.
Confirming the incident at the Long Bridge section, the spokesperson for the Ogun State Sector of the Federal Road Safety Corpse, Florence Okpe, in a telephone conversation with PUNCH Metro, blamed the fall on overloading and mechanical fault.
“The vehicle which developed a mechanical fault was overloaded which led to it falling when the incident happened. If it had not been overloaded, it wouldn’t have fallen. There was no casualty or injury recorded.”
Meanwhile, some road users who spoke with our correspondent in different interviews on Sunday lamented about the traffic situation.
While expressing their frustration, they also appealed to the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the traffic situation along the area.
A commuter, Idris Abeeb, stressed that he was stranded in the traffic for several hours noting that the situation had taken a toll on his health.
Abeeb said, “The traffic was hectic as I spent not less than three hours from Berger to after the Long Bridge. I am someone who gets dizzy when stuck in traffic due to the heat that comes with it. I need to go and get drugs because I am not feeling well.
“What I saw was that a truck had fallen on the Long Bridge section which led to the gridlock. The FRSC and other officials are there managing the situation.
A motorist, Akin Akinboye, urged the Federal Government to find a lasting solution to the traffic situation, especially on the Long Bridge section.
“As a motorist, I have been facing this traffic challenge for the past months especially at night around the Berger inwards Long Bridge section. It is time the Federal Government found a lasting solution to this gridlock.”
Meanwhile, Okpe advised motorists to exercise caution while driving on the expressway during this festive period and to shun speeding.
“Speeding is dangerous and most road crashes can be prevented when motorists drive with caution. The FRSC is urging road users to exercise patience, especially during this festive period.
“We are currently managing the situation to restore normalcy to the road,” Okpe said.
