Bridge collapse grounds vehicular movement in Kwara

Vehicular movement has been disrupted along the Ilorin–Igbeti Federal Highway in Asa Local Government Area of Kwara State following the collapse of the Moro Bridge, cutting off a major transport route and stranding commuters.

 

The bridge reportedly gave way in the early hours of Thursday after a heavy-duty truck passed over it, leading to a breakdown of movement along the busy corridor linking Kwara and neighbouring Oyo State.

 

Reacting to the development, the Kwara State Commissioner for Works, Abdulquawiy Olododo, confirmed that the state government had moved swiftly to mitigate the impact.

 

According to him, the government is collaborating with federal authorities to divert traffic and restore order along the affected route.

 

“The collapse occurred in the early hours after a heavy-duty truck passed over the bridge, resulting in a major disruption along the route,” he said.

 

Olododo disclosed that engineers have been deployed to begin palliative work on alternative routes to ease congestion, while traffic managers have been directed to work with transport unions to ensure smooth vehicular movement.

 

Motorists and commuters have expressed frustration over the incident, describing it as a major setback that has disrupted economic activities, delayed the movement of goods and increased transportation costs.

 

The Moro Bridge, a colonial-era Bailey structure, has long served as a critical but fragile crossing point connecting Kwara’s northern axis to Oyo State and onward routes toward the Benin Republic border.

 

The commissioner added that federal authorities have assured the state government that work is ongoing on a new bridge located a few metres from the collapsed structure, offering hope for a more permanent solution.

 

Residents have been urged to remain patient and exercise caution while using designated diversion routes as efforts continue to restore normalcy.