After months of reconstruction work, the Federal Government has announced the opening of the Kara Bridge and Long Bridge area on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, revealed this in a statement issued on Saturday through his Special Adviser on Communications, Hakeem Bello.
Fashola noted that work had been completed in the OPIC area between Kara Bridge and the Long Bridge, and both bounds of the main carriageway from Berger (New Garage) and Sagamu Inter-change on Section 1 of the project. The opening of the bridges was expected to reduce the heavy traffic being experienced on the stretch from Toll Gate to Kara Bridge.
However, the Minister appealed to motorists to exercise patience over the heavy traffic still being experienced on the road, as the reconstruction work enters its last phase. Fashola urged drivers to adhere to planned traffic flow and avoid driving against it, which has been a major source of traffic build-up in the area.
The Minister also stated that his ministry is working with the Lagos State Government, all traffic management, and security agencies to minimize the inconvenience caused by the reconstruction work. He encouraged the contractors to ensure that the final challenging phase of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway reconstruction work is concluded as soon as possible.
The Minister’s statement also revealed that the earlier envisaged date of April 30 for conclusion of the final stretch could not be achieved due to a combination of factors. However, with the completion of the work within the OPIC area, attention would now be focused on the outstanding work between Otedola Bridge and Berger (both bounds).
The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is one of Nigeria’s busiest highways, connecting the commercial hub of Lagos to other parts of the country. The reconstruction work is part of the Federal Government’s efforts to improve the road infrastructure in the country and enhance economic growth.
