Federal Government Announces Six-Week Partial Shutdown of Lagos–Ibadan Expressway for Bridge Maintenance

The Federal Government has announced a six-week partial closure of sections of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway to enable urgent repair works on damaged bridge components along the corridor.

The decision, announced on Thursday by the Federal Ministry of Works, affects the Kara Bridge, Magboro Bridge and the Arepo–Punch Bridge, where expansion joints have reportedly deteriorated and become safety concerns.

Speaking during an on-site briefing at Kara Bridge, the Ogun State Federal Controller of Works, Michael Komolafe, said the temporary closure was unavoidable, noting that earlier repair efforts on the Lagos-bound section of Kara Bridge had been suspended following public complaints over severe traffic congestion.

Komolafe apologised to road users for the inconvenience and assured motorists that enhanced traffic control measures would be deployed to reduce gridlock while ensuring the repairs are carried out effectively.

He explained that the worn-out expansion joints on the affected bridges pose significant risks to motorists and have been linked to accidents in the area. According to him, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, had approved immediate intervention to prevent further deterioration and improve safety.

The controller disclosed that repairs had already been completed on half of the Lagos-bound sections of the Magboro and Arepo–Punch bridges, while work would now continue on the remaining portions, particularly on the Ibadan-bound lanes.

Also speaking, the General Manager of CBC Construction Company, Andy Duan, said the rehabilitation exercise would last for six weeks. He added that construction equipment would be mobilised over the weekend, with full-scale work expected to begin on Monday.

Duan noted that half of the Lagos-bound section of Kara Bridge had already been fixed before work was paused, while portions of the expansion joints on the Magboro and Arepo–Punch bridges had also been completed.

He explained that the poor condition of the Kara Bridge expansion joint had contributed to multiple road crashes. To ensure safety during the repair period, Duan said barriers, warning signs, traffic lights and other protective installations would be put in place before diversions commence.

“We plan to complete half of each expansion joint within one week. The Ibadan-bound sections across the three bridges will be handled in phases, with each bridge expected to take about a week,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Kehinde Hamzat, assured the public that traffic management plans had been strengthened to ensure steady vehicular movement throughout the construction period.

Hamzat cautioned motorists against driving against traffic, warning that offenders would face penalties. He appealed to drivers to remain patient and cooperate with traffic officials, stressing that the temporary closure is necessary to improve road safety and maintain the integrity of the expressway.