Plan your movement! FG shuts major bridges for six weeks

By Oluwapelumi Oluwayemi

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Federal Ministry of Works, has announced a six-week partial closure of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway to enable urgent repairs on key bridges along the corridor.

The closure, which takes effect from Monday, is to allow for the rehabilitation of expansion joints on Kara Bridge, Magboro Bridge, and Arepo–Punch Bridge.

Addressing journalists at Kara Bridge on Thursday, the Ogun State Federal Controller of Works, Michael Komolafe, explained that the decision followed public complaints over prolonged traffic congestion that earlier forced the suspension of repair works on the Lagos-bound section of the bridge.

Komolafe apologised to motorists for the inconvenience, assuring them that improved traffic management measures would be implemented to ensure smooth movement while the repairs are carried out.

He noted that the expansion joints on the affected bridges had significantly deteriorated, posing serious safety risks and contributing to crashes along the route.

According to him, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, approved the immediate resumption of the rehabilitation works due to the urgent nature of the defects.

Komolafe added that repair works had already been completed on half of the Lagos-bound sections of Magboro and Arepo–Punch bridges, while the remaining sections on the Ibadan-bound side would now be addressed.

Speaking on the scope of the project, the General Manager of CBC Construction Company, Andy Duan, said the repairs would last for six weeks, with mobilisation of equipment expected to be completed over the weekend and full construction commencing on Monday.

Duan disclosed that part of the expansion joints at Magboro and Arepo–Punch bridges had been completed, while half of the Lagos-bound section of Kara Bridge was already repaired.

“At Kara Bridge, we have completed half of the work. We had to suspend operations earlier to avoid worsening traffic. Now, with fresh directives from the Ministry of Works, we are returning to site to resolve the issue,” he said.

He added that safety measures, including the installation of traffic signs, warning lights, and protective barriers, would be put in place before the diversion begins to safeguard motorists and construction workers.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Kehinde Hamzat, assured road users that adequate traffic control measures had been deployed to minimise congestion during the construction period.

Hamzat warned motorists against driving against traffic, stressing that offenders would be sanctioned. He urged road users to cooperate with traffic officials and exercise patience, describing the repairs as necessary to improve safety and prevent further accidents along the expressway.