- The Federal Government announces six-week partial closure on parts of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway
- The repairs will focus on expansion joints at Kara, Magboro and Arepo–Punch bridges
- The Federal Road Safety Corps urges motorists to remain patient and obey traffic rules during repairs
The Federal Government has announced a six-week partial closure of sections of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway to enable urgent repairs on key bridge components.
In a statement released on Thursday, February 5, through the Federal Ministry of Works, the government said the closure would allow engineers to fix failing expansion joints on Kara Bridge, Magboro Bridge, and Arepo–Punch Bridge. The ministry explained that work had earlier been halted on the Lagos-bound side of Kara Bridge after motorists complained about severe traffic congestion, but the rehabilitation would now resume.
Speaking to journalists at Kara Bridge, the Ogun State Federal Controller of Works, Michael Komolafe, apologised to road users for the disruption and promised that stronger traffic control measures would be put in place to reduce inconvenience during the repair period.
He added that the worn expansion joints across the three bridges had become dangerous and were linked to several road crashes.
“The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has directed urgent repairs to prevent further incidents,” Komolafe said.
Andy Duan, the General Manager of CBC Construction Company, who is also the contractor handling the project, outlined the progress already made and the next phase of the work.
According to him, repairs on the Lagos-bound sides of the Magboro and Arepo–Punch bridges had been completed, while crews would now turn to the Ibadan-bound lanes.
“At Kara Bridge, half of the Lagos-bound section has been completed, and we will now focus on the remaining portion,” Duan said.
He added: “The expansion joints at Kara Bridge are in very poor condition and have been a major cause of traffic accidents. We will mobilise equipment over the weekend and begin full construction on Monday. Each bridge will be worked on in phases, with completion of half of each expansion joint expected within a week.”
Duan also assured motorists that safety measures would be prioritised throughout the construction period, including the installation of barriers, warning signs, and lighting to safeguard both drivers and workers.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kehinde Hamzat, called on motorists to remain patient and obey traffic rules while the repairs are ongoing. He cautioned against reckless driving and warned that anyone driving against traffic would be penalised.
Hamzat stressed that the rehabilitation was necessary to fix damaged expansion joints that had formed dangerous depressions on the roadway and contributed to accidents, especially around Kara Bridge.
Nigerian government allocates N18bn compensation for Lagos-Calabar highway
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Federal Government had allocated N18 billion to compensate property owners affected by section 1 of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, as announced by Minister of Works David Umahi on Sunday, November 3, 2024.
The Minister of Works David Umahi acknowledged challenges in the compensation process but stressed the government’s commitment to transparency and adherence to legal obligations.