Commuters and motorists on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway were stranded for hours on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, as a flood and a fallen truck caused gridlock on the Otedola Bridge.
The bridge, which connects Lagos to other parts of the country, was flooded due to heavy rainfall that lasted for several hours. The flood made it difficult for vehicles to move freely on the bridge.
To make matters worse, a loaded truck overturned on one lane of the bridge, blocking traffic on the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway and Ojodu Berger. The truck was carrying bags of rice and other goods.
According to eyewitnesses, the accident happened around 9 a.m. when the driver of the truck lost control of the vehicle due to the slippery road. The truck skidded off the road and fell on its side, spilling its contents on the road.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident in a tweet and said that efforts were on to remove the truck from the road and clear the flood. It also advised motorists to use alternative routes to avoid the traffic jam.
No casualties have been reported as of the time of writing this report. However, many commuters and motorists expressed frustration over the situation and called on the government to fix the drainage system on the bridge and ensure regular maintenance of the road.