The Federal Ministry of Works in Lagos has confirmed structural damage to the Lotto Bridge near Mowe along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, with repair works and traffic diversions set to follow.
EpeInsights reports that the Lagos Federal Controller of Works, Engr. Olukorede Kesha, disclosed this after conducting an on-site assessment of the affected section. According to her, five bridge beams were damaged last Thursday by an improperly adjusted excavator hanger being transported from Apapa Port.
Kesha revealed that the driver of the vehicle has been arrested, and the owner of the excavator will be held responsible for covering the cost of repairs. She noted that the repair schedule will be announced in due course.
She emphasized the need to restore Federal Weigh Bridges across Nigerian highways and called for greater diligence from Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIOs) to ensure the safety of heavy-duty vehicles on the roads.
During her inspection tour, Kesha also visited the ongoing palliative works on a 12-kilometre stretch of the Sagamu-Iperu Road, which she said is running alongside the construction of underpasses along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
In a separate announcement, the Federal Controller also confirmed the closure of the Ijora Olopa–Apapa Link Bridge from Sunday, April 27, to allow for the replacement of 50 defective bearings as part of critical maintenance work.
Kesha stated that the closure will last eight weeks, during which traffic will be rerouted:
- Light vehicles: Diverted via Ijora Causeway through 7Up to Apapa
- Heavy-duty trucks: Rerouted through Costain via Iganmu to Apapa
She described the intervention as part of the federal government’s broader efforts to address deteriorating bridge infrastructure, especially those that have seen little or no maintenance since their construction.
