The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a six-week partial closure of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway to allow urgent rehabilitation works on expansion joints at Kara Bridge, Magboro Bridge, and Arepo–Punch Bridge.
The announcement was made on Wednesday, February 5, by the Federal Ministry of Works, which explained that the closure was necessary to resume critical repairs earlier suspended on the Lagos-bound section of Kara Bridge due to public complaints about prolonged traffic congestion.
Speaking to journalists at Kara Bridge, the Federal Controller of Works in Ogun State, Michael Komolafe, apologised to motorists for the inconvenience.
He assured that improved traffic management measures would be introduced to minimize disruption.
Komolafe explained that the expansion joints on the three bridges had deteriorated significantly, creating safety hazards and contributing to accidents.
He said the Minister of Works, David Umahi, had directed that urgent repairs be carried out to prevent further crashes.
He added that half of the Lagos-bound sections of Magboro and Arepo–Punch bridges had already been completed, while the remaining portions on the Ibadan-bound side would now be addressed.
Contractor Outlines Work Plan
The contractor, CBC Construction Company, confirmed that the repairs would take six weeks. General Manager Andy Duan said mobilisation of equipment would be completed over the weekend, with full construction scheduled to begin on Monday, February 9.
“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 explained.
He noted that the condition of Kara Bridge’s expansion joint was “very bad and always causing traffic accidents.”
Duan added that barriers, traffic signs, warning lights, and other safety materials would be deployed before diversions are made to protect workers and ensure safe traffic flow. He said each bridge would take about a week to repair, with work divided into phases.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has pledged to ensure smooth traffic management during the construction period.
Kehinde Hamzat, Lagos State Sector Commander of FRSC, warned motorists against driving against traffic, stressing that violators would be sanctioned.
He explained that the repairs were prompted by reports of failing expansion joints that had caused ditches and crashes, particularly on Kara Bridge.
Hamzat urged motorists to cooperate and exercise patience, describing the closure as a necessary step to improve road safety and infrastructure.
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