The Federal Government will commence repairs on the damaged expansion joints of the Kara Bridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Tuesday, September 8, after earlier suspending the project to review its likely effect on traffic.
The two-week intervention, which was initially scheduled for August, will involve replacing deteriorating expansion joints on the busy highway. The work, directed by the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, is expected to end on September 22.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, disclosed the revised commencement date in a statement on Sunday, saying it followed an earlier announcement by the Federal Ministry of Works.
The project was put on hold after motorists and members of the public raised concerns about the short notice given for the proposed closure and the need for adequate traffic arrangements before construction began.
With the work now set to proceed, the Lagos State Government has outlined a traffic arrangement intended to keep vehicles moving through the affected section.
According to the state government, one half of the bridge will be closed at a time while traffic is managed alternately through the other half.
The arrangement is designed to allow rehabilitation to continue without completely shutting the strategic route which carries heavy traffic between Lagos and Ogun State.
The repair centres on the expansion joints, components that allow a bridge structure to accommodate movement caused by factors such as temperature changes and traffic loads. Their replacement is expected to improve the condition of the affected section and enhance safety for road users.
The Federal Government said the intervention was intended to improve road safety, preserve structural integrity and support smoother traffic movement along the corridor.
The Lagos State Government, meanwhile, advised motorists using the expressway to plan their journeys in advance in anticipation of possible delays during the construction period.
It also appealed for patience and cooperation with traffic management personnel throughout the exercise.
The authorities said cooperation from motorists would be necessary to keep the rehabilitation on schedule and enable the contractors to complete the work within the planned two-week period.
The announcement effectively revives a project that had been paused before construction began. The suspension provided an opportunity for authorities to review the traffic implications and refine the management plan following public concerns.
Motorists travelling through the Kara axis from Tuesday are therefore expected to encounter controlled movement around the bridge as the replacement work gets underway.
The Federal Government has fixed September 22 as the completion date for the intervention, subject to the planned two-week schedule.
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