FG orders six-week partial shutdown of Lagos–Ibadan Expressway

 

The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works, on Thursday 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 ministry said the measure was necessary to resume critical rehabilitation work that had earlier been suspended on the Lagos-bound section of Kara Bridge following complaints from motorists over prolonged traffic congestion.

Speaking with journalists at Kara Bridge, the Ogun State Federal Controller of Works, Michael Komolafe, apologised to road users for the disruption and assured that better traffic management measures would be put in place to guarantee swift and lasting repairs.

Komolafe explained that the expansion joints on the three bridges had deteriorated badly, creating safety concerns and contributing to accidents.

He said the Minister of Works, David Umahi, had directed that the repairs be treated as urgent.

According to him, work had already been completed on half of the Lagos-bound sections of the Magboro and Arepo–Punch bridges, while the remaining portions on the Ibadan-bound side would now be fixed.

The contractor and General Manager of CBC Construction Company, Andy Duan, said the project would last six weeks, with equipment mobilisation expected to be concluded over the weekend and full construction set to begin on Monday.

He noted that sections of the expansion joints at the Magboro and Arepo–Punch bridges had been completed, while half of the Lagos-bound side of Kara Bridge was already done.

“At Kara Bridge, we have finished half of it. So we are facing the other half of it. Instead of causing traffic, that’s why we suspended the work temporarily. Now we are getting instructions from the Ministry of Works to resolve this issue,” Duan said.

He added that the expansion joint at Kara Bridge was in very poor condition and had been responsible for accidents.

Duan said materials such as barriers would be deployed before the diversion begins to secure the temporary work area. He added that traffic signs, warning lights and other safety devices would be installed to protect workers and ensure safe movement of vehicles.

“We are supposed to start immediately, but we are shifting it to Monday. We expect to complete half of each expansion joint within a week. For the Ibadan-bound side, covering three bridges, we will divide the work into phases so each bridge takes about a week,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Kehinde Hamzat, assured motorists that arrangements had been made to maintain smooth traffic flow throughout the construction period.

He cautioned drivers against driving against traffic, warning that offenders would face sanctions.

Hamzat said the repair work was prompted by reports of failing expansion joints that had caused ditches and crashes, especially on Kara Bridge.

He appealed to motorists to cooperate and remain patient, describing the closure as necessary to enhance road safety and infrastructure.