Komolafe said inspections revealed that the expansion joints on the three bridges had significantly deteriorated, creating safety hazards and contributing to frequent crashes along the corridor.
The Nigerian government has announced a six-week partial closure of the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway to carry out what it described as urgent repairs on failing expansion joints at Kara Bridge, Magboro Bridge, and Arepo–Punch Bridge.
The announcement was made on Thursday by the Federal Ministry of Works, which said the closure was unavoidable due to the deteriorated condition of the bridges, particularly on the Lagos-bound section, where previous rehabilitation work had been suspended following widespread public complaints over prolonged traffic congestion.
Speaking to journalists at Kara Bridge, the Ogun State Federal Controller of Works, Michael Komolafe, apologised to motorists for the inconvenience caused by the closure but insisted that the repairs were critical to public safety.
Komolafe said inspections revealed that the expansion joints on the three bridges had significantly deteriorated, creating safety hazards and contributing to frequent crashes along the corridor.
He disclosed that the Minister of Works, David Umahi, had ordered the immediate resumption of the rehabilitation works after reports of worsening conditions on the bridges.
According to him, repair works had already been completed on half of the Lagos-bound sections of Magboro and Arepo–Punch bridges, while the remaining portions, particularly on the Ibadan-bound side, would now be addressed under the new traffic management arrangement.
The contractor handling the project, CBC Construction Company, confirmed that the repairs would last six weeks. Its General Manager, Andy Duan, said mobilisation of equipment would be completed over the weekend, with full construction work expected to commence on Monday.
Duan revealed that parts of the expansion joints at Magboro and Arepo–Punch bridges had already been fixed, while half of the Lagos-bound section of Kara Bridge had also been completed before work was halted due to traffic concerns.
“At Kara Bridge, we have finished half of it. We suspended the remaining work to avoid worsening traffic congestion. Now we have fresh instructions from the Ministry of Works to resolve the problem permanently,” he said.
He added that the condition of the expansion joints at Kara Bridge was “very poor” and had been directly linked to accidents and vehicle damage.
Duan further stated that before traffic diversion begins, safety barriers, warning signs, lights, and other protective measures would be installed to safeguard both road users and construction workers.
“We expect to complete half of each expansion joint within one week. For the Ibadan-bound side, covering three bridges, the work will be done in phases, with each bridge taking about a week,” he explained.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kehinde Hamzat, said traffic control measures had been put in place to minimise disruption during the construction period.
Hamzat warned motorists against driving against traffic, stressing that offenders would be arrested and sanctioned.
He said the decision to partially close the expressway followed repeated reports of failed expansion joints that had created deep ditches and caused crashes, especially around Kara Bridge.
Describing the closure as unavoidable, Hamzat urged motorists to cooperate with traffic officials and exercise patience, noting that the repairs were aimed at preventing further accidents and improving the safety of one of Nigeria’s busiest highways.