The Federal Government has said the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway will be partially closed for two months for urgent repairs on expansion joints of the Kara Bridge, Magboro Bridge and Arepo–Punch Bridge.

Speaking to journalists at Kara Bridge on Thursday, the Ogun State Federal Controller of Works, Michael Komolafe, said that the Federal Road Safety Commission, was working with the Ministry of Works, led by Dave Umahi, for the rehabilitation.

Mr Komolafe stated that part of the Lagos-bound sections of Magboro and Arepo–Punch bridges, had already been completed, and work would soon commence on the remaining portions on the Ibadan-bound part.

Mr Komolafe said, “By virtue of my discussion with the contractor and the Federal controller of works, Ogun, a period of between six weeks and two months maximum, will be used to do this, because when they fix some of these things, it will be given time to heal.

“This is Kara, they have done one side of it. The other side of it, instead of taking it one after the other, we are going to do it simultaneously. At that point, we would have finished the inward Lagos section of the expressway.

“So, everybody coming in will heave a sigh of relief, the suffering will be once per time on each of the bridge segments. By the time we move to the other segments, definitely, we will open the repaired segment for traffic to move.”

Blaming overloading of vehicles for the damages on the road, he canvassed construction of weigh bridges, so the road would not be destroyed on time.

He added that high level chemicals were being added to the road for it to heal faster and ensure its reopening on time.

He also pologised to motorists for the inconvenience, pleading with them to face the pain the rehabilitation would cause, assuring that the repairs were to ensure improved traffic management.

The contractor and General Manager of CBC Construction Company, Andy Duan, said the mobilisation of equipment would be completed over the weekend and full construction would begin on Monday.

Mr Duan said, “We are supposed to start immediately, but we are shifting it to Monday. We expect to complete half of each expansion joint within a week. For the Ibadan-bound side, covering three bridges, we will divide the work into phases so each bridge takes about a week.”

Mr Duan noted that materials such as barriers would be brought in to protect the temporary working area, before the diversion begins.

He also stated that traffic signs, warning lights, and other safety measures would be installed to ease traffic and protect workers.