Author: Gist Correspondent

The Federal Government has announced a six-week partial closure of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway to enable urgent repair works on deteriorated expansion joints at Kara Bridge, Magboro Bridge and the Arepo–Punch Bridge.

The decision, disclosed on Thursday by the Federal Ministry of Works, follows the need to resume critical rehabilitation works earlier suspended on the Lagos-bound section of Kara Bridge due to public complaints over severe traffic congestion.

Speaking to journalists at Kara Bridge, the Ogun State Federal Controller of Works, Michael Komolafe, apologised to road users for the inconvenience the closure would cause, assuring that enhanced traffic management measures would be put in place to minimise disruption and ensure the timely completion of the repairs.

Komolafe explained that the expansion joints on the three bridges had deteriorated considerably, posing serious safety risks and contributing to frequent crashes. He added that the Minister of Works, David Umahi, directed that the repairs be carried out as a matter of urgency.

According to him, repair works have already been completed on half of the Lagos-bound sections of Magboro and Arepo–Punch bridges, while attention will now shift to the remaining sections on the Ibadan-bound carriageway.

Also speaking, the General Manager of CBC Construction Company, the contractor handling the project, Andy Duan, said the rehabilitation works would span six weeks. He noted that equipment mobilisation would be completed over the weekend, with full-scale construction scheduled to commence on Monday.

Duan disclosed that parts of the expansion joints at Magboro and Arepo–Punch bridges had already been repaired, while half of the Lagos-bound section at Kara Bridge had been completed before work was temporarily halted to reduce traffic disruption.

“At Kara Bridge, we have completed half of the work. We suspended the remaining portion to avoid worsening traffic, but with the directive from the Ministry of Works, we are now set to complete the repairs,” he said.

He described the condition of the expansion joints at Kara Bridge as extremely poor, noting that they had contributed to several accidents along the route.

The contractor added that before diversions are introduced, safety materials such as barriers, traffic signs and warning lights would be installed to protect both road users and construction workers.

“We expect to complete half of each expansion joint within a week. For the Ibadan-bound side, covering the three bridges, the work will be phased so that each bridge takes about one week,” Duan explained.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kehinde Hamzat, assured motorists that adequate measures had been put in place to ensure smooth traffic flow throughout the construction period.

He cautioned drivers against traffic violations, particularly driving against traffic, warning that offenders would be sanctioned. Hamzat said the repair works were prompted by reports of failing expansion joints that had created dangerous ditches and led to crashes, especially at Kara Bridge.

He urged motorists to cooperate with traffic officials and exercise patience, describing the partial closure as a necessary step to enhance safety and improve the durability of the critical highway infrastructure.