Motorists plying the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway are set to experience a 14-day closure of the Kara Bridge as the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) begins urgent repairs on its expansion joints.
The closure, which takes effect on September 8, 2026, is expected to last until September 21, when the bridge is scheduled to reopen to traffic.
The Acting Federal Controller of Works in Ogun State, Engineer Richard ADELEYE, who disclosed this during a sensitisation exercise, said the expansion joints had become due for replacement after years of use.
According to him, previous attempts to carry out the repairs had been postponed because of concerns over traffic congestion on the busy Lagos-Ibadan corridor.
Adeleye explained that the repairs were necessary to prevent further damage to the bridge, noting that expansion joints allow bridge structures to accommodate movement caused by changes in temperature.
He warned that failure to replace the worn-out joints could result in cracking, buckling and other serious structural damage to the bridge.
He said the repair would be carried out in phases, with work initially taking place on one half of the carriageway to allow controlled movement of traffic on the other side.
After about a week, the construction would shift to the other half, with traffic management agencies deployed to regulate movement throughout the period.
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Ogun State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) and other relevant traffic agencies are expected to be on the ground to manage traffic and minimise gridlock.
The Federal Controller of Works appealed to motorists to exercise patience and cooperate with traffic management officials, describing the temporary inconvenience as necessary to ensure the safety and durability of the bridge.
He also advised motorists travelling towards Ibadan and other destinations to consider alternative routes, including the Ogijo-Ikorodu axis, while urging road users to plan their journeys ahead.
He added that the affected construction area would be limited to the bridge section, with motorists expected to move through controlled portions of the route where possible.
The repair, according to FERMA, is expected to restore the expansion joints and improve the safety and structural integrity of the bridge.
Motorists have therefore been advised to make alternative travel arrangements and allow extra time for their journeys during the two-week repair period.
