The Federal Government has announced a six-week partial closure of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway to enable urgent repair works on expansion joints at Kara Bridge, Magboro Bridge and Arepo–Punch Bridge.

The closure, announced by the Federal Ministry of Works, is to allow the resumption of critical rehabilitation works on the Lagos-bound section of Kara Bridge, which had earlier been suspended following complaints from motorists over severe traffic congestion.

Speaking to journalists at Kara Bridge, the Ogun State Federal Controller of Works, Mr Michael Komolafe, apologised to road users for the inconvenience and assured them that improved traffic management measures would be put in place to minimise disruptions during the repair period.

Komolafe explained that the expansion joints on the three bridges had significantly deteriorated, posing serious safety risks and contributing to traffic accidents along the corridor. He said the Minister of Works, Mr David Umahi, had directed the immediate repair of the joints to prevent further incidents.

Providing updates on the project, the General Manager of CBC Construction Company, Mr Andy Duan, said repair works on the Lagos-bound sections of Magboro and Arepo–Punch bridges had been completed, while work would now commence on the Ibadan-bound sections.

“At Kara Bridge, half of the Lagos-bound section has already been completed, and attention will now shift to the remaining portion,” Duan said. He added that construction equipment would be mobilised over the weekend, with full work beginning on Monday.

According to him, repairs will be carried out in phases, with half of each bridge’s expansion joint expected to be completed within one week. He assured motorists that safety would remain a priority, noting that barriers, warning signs and lighting would be installed to protect road users and construction workers.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, Mr Kehinde Hamzat, appealed to motorists to remain patient and comply with traffic regulations throughout the construction period. He warned that driving against traffic would not be tolerated and that offenders would be sanctioned.

Hamzat stressed that the repair works were necessary to fix failing expansion joints that had created hazardous conditions on the bridges, particularly at Kara Bridge, where they had contributed to several accidents.