Motorists plying the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway have expressed frustration over the collapse of a section of an access ramp linking the highway to the Oshodi-Apapa Expressway bridge.
The motorists told Metro during a visit to the spot on Saturday that the development often forces drivers to slow down while navigating the area and frequently results in traffic congestion.
It was further gathered that the damaged section of the ramp has remained unattended for some time.
The situation is said to have worsened following recent rainfall, which has left the collapsed portion submerged in floodwater.
A motorist who identified himself simply as Suleiman said the situation made it difficult for drivers to identify the extent of the damage.
“The problem is that when it rains, the hole becomes covered with water, and drivers cannot see how deep it is. You have to slow down completely the moment you get to the spot. During rush hours, traffic builds up because everybody wants to avoid the bad portion.
“This place had been like this before it started raining, and nothing was done about it. So, the rainfall has only worsened it,” Suleiman said.
During the visit, our correspondent observed vehicles moving at a crawl as drivers carefully manoeuvred around the affected section to avoid damaging their vehicles.
Another motorist, Gilbert Adebayo, described the situation as dangerous, adding that the damaged section of the road posed a security risk.
He said, “The road is becoming a trap for motorists. At night, it is even worse because visibility is poor and one can easily get robbed. That could even be happening already; maybe I have not been a victim, and I don’t pray to become one.”
A ride-hailing driver, Joseph Okonkwo, expressed fear that the damaged section might expand if not attended to by the authorities.
He said, “We spend more time in traffic because vehicles are forced into a single path at that point. If nothing is done quickly, the damaged portion may expand and create a bigger problem. The continuous flow of water around the affected section could worsen the erosion.”
The motorists urged the Ministry of Works and other relevant agencies to carry out immediate repairs before the situation deteriorates further.
The spokesperson for the state Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Adesina Odunuga, could not be reached for comments on Monday as calls made to his telephone lines were not answered.
A text message sent to him had yet to be replied to as of the time this report was filed.