FG Begins Two-Week Repair Of Kara Bridge Expansion Joints

The Federal Government will commence the repair of damaged expansion joints on the Kara Bridge section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on September 8, 2026.

The Federal Ministry of Works said the rehabilitation, which is expected to last two weeks, is aimed at addressing safety concerns and preventing further deterioration of the bridge.

The Acting Controller of the ministry in Ogun State, Engr. Richard Adeleye, disclosed this during an inspection of the affected section of the expressway.

Adeleye explained that the expansion joints had exceeded their service life and had contributed to accidents along the busy corridor.

According to him, the repair will be carried out in phases to minimise disruption to traffic. One half of the affected section will initially be closed while motorists use the other half under controlled traffic conditions.

He said the traffic arrangement would be switched after one week to allow work to continue on the other half.
Officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps and the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority are expected to manage traffic throughout the rehabilitation.

Adeleye explained that expansion joints allow bridge structures to accommodate natural movements caused by temperature changes. He warned that failure to replace damaged joints could result in structural problems such as cracking and buckling.

The affected construction zone will cover approximately 100 metres, while the new expansion joints are expected to last between 10 and 20 years.

The Federal Ministry of Works urged motorists to exercise patience and caution during the rehabilitation.

Motorists travelling towards Ibadan were also advised to consider alternative routes, including the Ikorodu-Ogijo corridor and routes around the Sango and Abeokuta axes.

The Lagos State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Kehinde Hamzat, said traffic control would be intensified around the construction area, with diversions introduced where necessary to reduce congestion and protect road users and construction workers.

Hamzat described the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway as a critical economic corridor and advised motorists whose journeys were not urgent to avoid the route during the rehabilitation period.

The Ogun State Ministry of Transportation also urged motorists to plan their journeys ahead of the September 8 commencement date and comply with traffic signs and instructions around the construction zone.