By Ayo Ayodele
The Federal Government has announced a six-week partial closure of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway to carry out urgent repairs on expansion joints at Kara Bridge, Magboro Bridge, and Arepo–Punch Bridge.
The announcement was made on Thursday by the Federal Ministry of Works. According to the ministry, the closure is necessary to resume critical rehabilitation works that were 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 motorists for the inconvenience and assured that improved traffic management measures would be implemented to minimise disruption.
Komolafe explained that the expansion joints on the affected bridges had deteriorated significantly, posing safety risks and contributing to road crashes. He said the Minister of Works, David Umahi, had directed that the repairs be carried out urgently.
He added that work had already been completed on half of the Lagos-bound sections of Magboro and Arepo–Punch bridges, while repairs on the remaining sections, including the Ibadan-bound lanes, would commence during the closure period.
The contractor handling the project, Andy Duan of CBC Construction Company, said the repairs would last six weeks, with full construction expected to begin on Monday after the mobilisation of equipment.
Duan noted that half of the Lagos-bound section of Kara Bridge had already been completed, while work on the remaining portions would be carried out in phases to reduce traffic disruption. He also said safety measures, including barriers, warning signs, and lights, would be installed before diversions begin.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kehinde Hamzat, assured motorists that traffic control measures had been put in place to ensure smooth flow during the repair period. He warned motorists against driving against traffic, noting that offenders would be sanctioned.
Hamzat urged road users to be patient, describing the temporary closure as necessary to improve safety on the busy highway.