By Ayomide Otitoju
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has announced that ongoing repair works on the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway will take between six weeks and two months to achieve full completion.
The Lagos State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Ganiyu Hamzat, disclosed this on Thursday following consultations with the contractor handling the project and the Controller of Works. He explained that some sections of the road require adequate time to properly seal, necessitating the extended timeline.
Hamzat said several damaged portions of the expressway had contributed to road crashes, as motorists attempting to avoid bad spots or oncoming vehicles often end up colliding with one another.
According to him, progress on the repairs had been slower than anticipated, prompting a review of the initial work strategy. He noted that maintaining the earlier pace would have doubled the completion period, leading authorities to adopt a new approach.
To minimise disruption to road users, the FRSC has decided to work on two expansion joints simultaneously instead of one, a move aimed at reducing repeated inconvenience to motorists.
Hamzat identified overloading as a major cause of road deterioration on the expressway and called for the effective use of weigh bridges to prevent premature damage. He added that high-grade chemicals are being deployed in the repair process to shorten the curing period to about seven days before affected sections are reopened to traffic.
He further revealed that repair works had been completed on one side of the Kara Bridge, with both sides now set to be handled concurrently. Upon completion of the current phase, he said the inward Lagos section of the expressway would be fully restored.
The sector commander said the FRSC is working closely with other agencies, including the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the police, and the military, to manage traffic and ensure safety during the repairs. He urged motorists to exercise patience, stressing that temporary inconveniences would result in long-term safety benefits.
Hamzat also issued a stern warning against traffic violations, particularly driving against traffic, noting that offenders would be penalised and prosecuted where necessary. He maintained that decisive action was required to curb crashes and improve safety on the vital highway.
