The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially announced a six-week partial closure of several sections of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to facilitate urgent rehabilitation work on critical bridge infrastructure. The Federal Ministry of Works confirmed that the scheduled maintenance will focus on the replacement of dilapidated expansion joints on the Kara, Magboro, and Arepo-Punch bridges to ensure the safety of commuters using the nation’s busiest highway.
Speaking to journalists during an inspection at Kara Bridge, the Federal Controller of Works in Ogun State, Michael Komolafe, explained that the intervention became a matter of national priority due to the rapid deterioration of the road surface. He noted that the failing expansion joints had become a significant hazard, contributing to a rise in vehicular accidents and mechanical breakdowns that frequently paralysed traffic flow along the corridor.
According to Komolafe, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, issued a direct mandate to fast-track the repairs to prevent further infrastructure decay and safeguard lives. The Controller apologised to the motoring public for the inevitable hardship the closure would cause, promising that the ministry has designed a strategic work plan to minimise the duration of the bottleneck. He emphasised that the deterioration of these joints posed significant safety risks that could no longer be ignored by the administration.
The technical execution of the project is being handled by CBC Construction Company. Providing a breakdown of the construction schedule, the General Manager of the firm, Andy Duan, stated that the team would begin mobilising heavy equipment and materials over the weekend, with full-scale construction activities set to commence on Monday, February 9, 2026. Duan revealed that the repair strategy involves a phased approach to allow for at least partial movement of vehicles while work is ongoing.
Duan further clarified the scope of the project, noting that while work on the Lagos-bound sections of the Magboro and Arepo-Punch bridges had been previously addressed, the focus would now shift entirely to the Ibadan-bound lanes. However, at the Kara Bridge, the contractor indicated that the team still needs to complete the remaining half of the Lagos-bound section. The company expects to complete half of each expansion joint within a week, utilising high-intensity shifts to meet the six-week deadline.
To manage the anticipated traffic surge, the Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Kehinde Hamzat, has deployed additional personnel to the affected zones. Hamzat urged motorists to exercise extreme patience and strictly adhere to traffic diversions.