The Federal Government has announced immediate palliative repairs on critical sections of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, following a serious accident linked to structural failure at a bridge expansion joint.
EpeInsights reports that the decision comes after an 18-seater commercial bus crashed at Arepo Bus Stop on Friday, leaving several passengers seriously injured.
According to the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, the incident was traced to a failing expansion joint a structural issue the government had already identified as a growing concern.
Kesha said emergency works will begin this weekend at key problem spots: Kara, Arepo, and Magboro bridges.
These areas have been flagged for immediate intervention due to the visible deterioration of their expansion joints.
“A contractor currently working on the expressway has been directed to begin palliative work as a short-term fix, while we await full-scale rehabilitation approvals,” she said.
In addition to wear and tear, Kesha highlighted vandalism as a major cause of infrastructure damage. She urged the public to treat public facilities like shared property and report any acts of sabotage to law enforcement.
“Damaging public property benefits no one. These structures belong to all of us,” she said.
In a related setback, the Lotto Bridge Interchange, part of the same expressway project, will not open as scheduled. A low-bed articulated truck carrying an excavator crashed into the bridge last Thursday, damaging five structural beams, two of which are now beyond repair.
Kesha confirmed that the damage has set the project back by several months. New beams will be installed after a fresh round of technical assessments.
“Safety is our top priority. We must ensure that every structure meets the required standards before opening it to the public.”
What This Means for Road Users
- Expect ongoing repair work along Kara, Arepo, and Magboro bridges
- Lotto Bridge Interchange will remain closed until further notice
- Road users should remain cautious and report any infrastructure damage
- Public cooperation is vital to protecting national assets.
