Two Fallen Trucks Worsen Gridlock On Lagos -Ibadan Expressway
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.
It was a tough day for motorists and commuters, as both ends of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway were grounded by traffic on Saturday.
A reporter who monitored the traffic situation, observed stranded passengers disembarking from their vehicles and walking long distances to bypass the blocked sections of the expressway.
There was an increase in transport fare as Berger Bus Stop to Mowe, Ibafo, and Arepo, rose 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, 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.”