“Following the resumption of rehabilitation work on the Kara Bridge (outbound Lagos), the Lagos State Government has urged motorists to use designated alternative routes during the bridge’s two-week partial closure. The repairs, scheduled from March 10 to 28, 2026, focus on critical structural upgrades to enhance the bridge’s long-term safety and durability.”
The advisory, issued on Tuesday by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, warned motorists to avoid the inward OPIC/Mowe axis and make use of approved diversion routes during the repair period.
It reads:
“The Lagos State Government has once again shared alternative routes to manage traffic for the two-week partial closure of the Kara Bridge (outbound Lagos), by the Federal Government. In line with the partial closure of the bridge inward OPIC/Mowe, motorists are advised to make use of the following alternative routes during the repair period.”
Approved Alternative Routes
To mitigate traffic disruptions along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, motorists have been advised to adopt the following route options:
Route Option 1:
Motorists coming from the Third Mainland Bridge are urged to:
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Connect Ketu to Mile 12
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Link Ogolonto to Ikorodu Garage
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Proceed via Sabo Roundabout to Isagamu Road/Itokin Road to continue their journeys.
“Motorists from Third Mainland Bridge are urged to connect Ketu to Mile 12 to link Ogolonto to Ikorodu Garage and link Sabo Roundabout to connect Isagamu Road/Itokin Road to continue their journeys,” the ministry advised.
Route Option 2:
Motorists from Lagos Island are directed to:
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Link Ilubinrin to connect Ijora Bridge
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Access Eko Bridge to Funsho Williams Avenue
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Link Ikorodu Road to Ojota to Ketu, then connect Mile 12 to Ogolonto to Ikorodu Garage
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Proceed via Sabo Roundabout to Isagamu Road/Itokin Road to reach their destinations.
“Motorists from Lagos Island are to link Ilubinrin to connect Ijora Bridge to access Eko Bridge to Funsho Williams Avenue and link Ikorodu Road to Ojota to Ketu and connect Mile 12 to Ogolonto to Ikorodu Garage and link Sabo Roundabout to Isagamu Road / Itokin Road to link their desired destinations,” the advisory stated.
Alternative Route:
Motorists can also link Ikorodu Garage through Sabo Roundabout, connect Ogijo to Likosi, proceed to Shimawa to Lotto, and then reach Mowe to complete their journeys.
Traffic Management Measures
To ensure smooth vehicular flow along the rehabilitation corridor, officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), will be strategically deployed alongside traffic management signs. Motorists have been strongly urged to plan their journeys in advance, consider travel time adjustments, and adhere strictly to the diversion routes to avoid unnecessary delays.
The partial closure of the Kara Bridge comes amid ongoing efforts to maintain the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, a key commercial artery connecting Lagos with Ogun State and the southwestern region.
Authorities emphasized that the rehabilitation work, although temporarily disruptive, is critical for the structural integrity and safety of the bridge, which carries thousands of commuters and heavy commercial traffic daily.
Implications
The temporary diversions reflect the need for proactive traffic management in Lagos, where major infrastructural projects frequently intersect with heavy commuter flows. By providing detailed alternative routes and deploying traffic management officials, the Lagos State Government aims to minimise gridlocks, protect commuters, and ensure that commercial and private travel continues with minimal disruption during the two-week repair period.
