FG Orders Six-Week Partial Closure of Lagos–Ibadan Expressway for Urgent Bridge Repairs
The Federal Government has announced a six-week partial closure of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway to allow for urgent repair works on key bridges along the route.
The closure, announced by the Federal Ministry of Works, will affect expansion joints on Kara Bridge, Magboro Bridge and Arepo–Punch Bridge.
According to the ministry, the decision became necessary to resume critical rehabilitation works earlier suspended on the Lagos-bound section of Kara Bridge following complaints by road users over prolonged traffic congestion.
Speaking to journalists at Kara Bridge, the Ogun State Federal Controller of Works, Michael Komolafe, apologised to motorists for the inconvenience and assured that adequate traffic management measures would be put in place to ensure smooth movement during the repair period.
Komolafe said the deteriorating condition of the expansion joints on the three bridges posed serious safety risks and had contributed to road accidents.
He disclosed that the Minister of Works, David Umahi, had ordered immediate repairs to prevent further incidents.
Providing an update on the project, the General Manager of CBC Construction Company, Andy Duan, said repair works on the Lagos-bound sections of Magboro and Arepo–Punch bridges had been completed, with attention now shifting to the Ibadan-bound sections.
“At Kara Bridge, half of the Lagos-bound section has been completed, and work will now continue on the remaining portion,” Duan said.
He added that the expansion joints at Kara Bridge were in poor condition and had been a major cause of traffic accidents. According to him, construction equipment would be mobilised over the weekend, with full work expected to begin on Monday.
Duan explained that the repairs would be carried out in phases, with half of each expansion joint expected to be completed within one week.
He assured motorists that safety measures, including barriers, warning signs and lighting, would be installed throughout the construction period to protect both road users and workers.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kehinde Hamzat, advised motorists to remain patient and comply with traffic regulations during the repair works.
Hamzat warned against driving against traffic, stressing that offenders would be sanctioned. He noted that the repairs were necessary to address failing expansion joints that had created dangerous ditches and contributed to several accidents, particularly on Kara Bridge.
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