Motorist and other persons plying the Lagos-Ibadan expressway have expressed concern as the contractor to the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing resumes rehabilitation work on the axis.
Predictably, the gridlock returned to the expressway on Sunday, following the influx of Lagos-bound vehicles returning after the long Sallah break.
The situation crippled traffic along the axis for several hours as motorists and road users were stranded in the gridlock.
The Sunday rainfall further compounded the traffic at the Berger end of the ever-busy road.
As of noon on Sunday, it took motorists more than three hours to travel from Ibafo in Ogun State to the Otedola Bridge in Lagos, a stretch that should not take more than15 to 20 minutes to cover.
Frustrated travelers lamented the pains they will be subjected to on Monday, as the contractor resumes work.
A motorist, Francis Adewale, said: “The gridlock has started again on this axis today (Sunday). You can imagine what the traffic will look like tomorrow, (today) when the contractor returns to the site. We, hereby, appeal to relevant authorities to put in place an effective traffic and management system to ease the likely gridlock due to the high influx of vehicles.”
Also, Mrs. Magaret Abioye, who resides in Mowe, Ogun State, expressed apprehension over the likely return of gridlock as rehabilitation work resumed today.
Mrs. Abioye said: “We, hereby, appeal to the Federal, Lagos and Ogun State governments to put in place functional traffic management to save us from another round of hardship along the axis.
Following public outcry over the chaotic traffic situation on the expressway, the Federal government on June 26, suspended further work on the ongoing reconstruction.
The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, said the suspension was to ease the gridlock during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration last Wednesday and Thursday.