The Federal Government has announced a six-week partial closure of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway to allow urgent rehabilitation of critical bridge components along the busy highway, a move authorities say is necessary to improve safety and prevent further accidents.
The Ministry of Works disclosed that the repair works will focus on the expansion joints at Kara Bridge, Magboro Bridge and Arepo-Punch Bridge. The intervention follows mounting complaints from motorists over worsening traffic congestion and the deteriorating state of the affected sections.
Addressing journalists at Kara Bridge, the Ogun State Federal Controller of Works, Mr Michael Komolafe, apologised for the expected inconvenience and assured road users that traffic management measures would be strengthened throughout the exercise. He explained that the deterioration of the expansion joints had created serious safety concerns and contributed to road crashes.
Komolafe said the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, ordered immediate rehabilitation to prevent further incidents and restore confidence in the corridor, which remains one of the country’s busiest transport routes.
Providing details of the project, the General Manager of CBC Construction Company, Mr Andy Duan, said repair works on the Lagos-bound sections of Magboro and Arepo-Punch bridges had already been completed, with attention now shifting to the Ibadan-bound lanes.
He added that at Kara Bridge, half of the Lagos-bound section had been completed and work would continue on the remaining portion. According to him, the expansion joints at the bridge were in poor condition and had become a major cause of traffic accidents.
Duan explained that construction equipment would be mobilised over the weekend, with full-scale work expected to begin on Monday. He noted that the repairs would be carried out in phases, with half of each expansion joint scheduled for completion within a week.
He assured motorists that safety would remain a priority, noting that barriers, warning signs and lighting would be installed to protect both road users and construction workers during the period.
Also speaking, the Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Mr Kehinde Hamzat, urged motorists to remain patient and comply with traffic regulations throughout the construction period. He warned against driving against traffic, stressing that violators would face sanctions.
Hamzat emphasised that the repairs were critical to addressing failing expansion joints that had created hazardous ditches and heightened accident risks, particularly around Kara Bridge.
