FG Puts On Hold Reconstruction Of Failed Expansion Joint On Kara Bridge

The Federal Government has put on hold the planned reconstruction of the failed expansion joint on Kara Bridge (Outward Lagos) along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

A statement by the Acting Federal Controller of Works, Ogun State, Richard Adeleye, on Tuesday, noted that a rescheduled date will be announced soon.

The update came after the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos Sector Command’s Sector Public Education Officer, SRC Elizabeth Jayeola, said the exercise will commence on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, and last for two weeks.

Quoting the Sector Commander, Corps Commander Kehinde Hamzat, the Corps had stated that the reconstruction was a critical safety intervention aimed at preventing crashes, preserving the structural integrity of the bridge, and ensuring safer travel for all road users.

Hamzat had explained that to create a safe working environment for the construction team, the existing four-lane carriageway would be temporarily reduced to two lanes over a 1.5-kilometre stretch during the repair, which will inevitably result in traffic congestion, particularly on the outward Lagos-Ibadan corridor.

To reduce traffic volume and ease pressure on the affected corridor, the Sector Commander had appealed to organisations, institutions, and businesses whose operations permit remote work to allow their employees to work from home during the period of the reconstruction.

According to him, this measure would significantly reduce vehicular traffic and relieve commuters of unnecessary delays and stress.

Motorists were also encouraged to plan their journeys ahead, travel outside peak periods where possible, and make use of alternative routes, including the Ikorodu – Sagamu Expressway and the Lekki – Epe Expressway.

The Kara Bridge is notorious for unprecedented accidents, with the latest being a fatal multi-vehicle collision involving articulated trucks and a Toyota Sienna.

The accident, which occurred on July 24, 2026, was linked partly to bad expansion joints and speeding. One fatality and multiple injuries were recorded during the recent series of crashes.

The Federal Ministry of Works had in March continued the replacement of the expansion joints on the bridge, outbound Lagos.

The Federal Controller of Works, Olayiwola Komolafe, had stated that the maintenance work would last two weeks.

However, following persistent gridlock that lasted several days, the repair works were suspended.