FG Orders Six-Week Partial Closure of Lagos–Ibadan Expressway for Emergency Bridge Repairs

The Federal Government has announced a six-week partial closure of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway to fix failing expansion joints on three critical bridges — Kara, Magboro and Arepo–Punch.

The Federal Ministry of Works said the decision became necessary to resume urgent rehabilitation previously suspended on the Lagos-bound section of Kara Bridge after motorists raised concerns over severe traffic congestion.
Speaking with journalists at Kara Bridge, the Ogun State Federal Controller of Works, Michael Komolafe, apologised to road users for the expected inconvenience and assured that traffic management measures would be deployed to minimise disruption while ensuring durable repairs.

Komolafe explained that the expansion joints on the three bridges had deteriorated significantly, creating safety hazards and contributing to road crashes.

He noted that the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, had directed immediate intervention on the affected sections.

According to him, repair work has already been completed on half of the Lagos-bound sections at Magboro and Arepo–Punch bridges. The remaining portions — including the Ibadan-bound lanes — will now be addressed in phases.

The contractor handling the project, Andy Duan, General Manager of CBC Construction Company, confirmed that the repair work will last six weeks.

He said equipment mobilisation would be completed over the weekend, with full construction commencing on Monday.

“At Kara Bridge, we have finished half of it and are now facing the remaining section. We earlier suspended work to avoid excessive traffic disruption, but we have now received clearance from the Ministry of Works to resolve the issue,” Duan said.

Duan revealed that the condition of the Kara Bridge expansion joint was extremely poor and had been responsible for multiple accidents.

He added that safety barriers, traffic signs, warning lights and other protective devices would be installed to safeguard both motorists and construction workers.

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

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kehinde Hamzat, assured motorists that traffic control strategies had been put in place to ease movement during the repair period.

Hamzat warned motorists against driving against traffic, stressing that violators would face sanctions.