FG COMMENCES KARA BRIDGE REPAIRS, MOTORISTS FACE TWO WEEKS OF TRAFFIC CONTROLS

The Federal Government has commenced repair work on the deteriorating expansion joints at the Kara Bridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. Construction workers from CBC were already at the site early Tuesday morning, September 8, to begin demarcating the affected portion of the busy highway as part of the rehabilitation exercise. The intervention is aimed at addressing the damaged joints and improving safety and the structural condition of the bridge.

The rehabilitation is expected to last for about two weeks, with the Federal Government planning to carry out the work in phases to reduce the impact on traffic. One half of the affected carriageway will initially be restricted while motorists use the available section under controlled movement, before work is shifted to the other side. Authorities said the expansion joints had exceeded their service life and had contributed to safety concerns and accidents along the corridor.

Traffic management and security agencies have been deployed to support the exercise and regulate vehicular movement around the construction zone. Personnel from the Federal Road Safety Corps, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Agency, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority and the Nigeria Police Force are expected to assist motorists and ensure that construction activities are carried out safely.

The Federal Ministry of Works has appealed to motorists to exercise patience and plan their journeys ahead of time, particularly during peak travel periods when congestion is expected to increase. Motorists travelling towards Ibadan have also been advised to consider alternative routes, including the Ogijo-Ikorodu corridor and roads around the Sango and Abeokuta axes where appropriate. Those who continue to use the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway will still be able to pass through the construction area under controlled traffic arrangements.

The repair work had previously been postponed because of concerns over traffic management and the potential disruption to commuters using the major Lagos-Ogun corridor. Officials said the current intervention could not be delayed indefinitely because further deterioration of the expansion joints could create more serious structural problems. The replacement is expected to improve the safety and durability of the bridge while restoring smoother movement along one of Nigeria's busiest highways.