FG begins two-week Kara Bridge repairs Tuesday, Lagos issues traffic advisory

The Federal Government will begin a two-week replacement of the expansion joint at Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation has advised motorists to prepare for temporary traffic disruptions during the period.

According to a statement issued by the ministry, the repair works will be carried out by the Federal Ministry of Works. The existing four-lane carriageway will be temporarily reduced to two lanes across a 1.5-kilometre stretch around the Kara axis to create a safe work zone.

What the Ministry said

“The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation wishes to notify the motoring public that the Federal Ministry of Works will commence the replacement of the expansion joint at Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. The project is scheduled to commence on Tuesday, 28th July, 2026 for a period of two weeks. Consequently, motorists are advised to expect partial traffic disruptions around the Kara axis during the repair period,” the statement read in part.

The ministry added that moderate traffic is expected around Fatgbems Turn as some motorists divert or make U-turns to avoid delays. However, traffic heading towards Ibadan beyond Fatgbems Turn is expected to experience minimal disruption.

Motorists advised to plan ahead

Motorists have been advised to anticipate traffic disruptions around the Kara corridor, obey traffic regulations, and cooperate with traffic management officials deployed along the route. The ministry also urged road users to plan their journeys in advance and consider alternative routes where possible.

The rehabilitation work is intended to improve the safety and durability of Kara Bridge for all road users, the statement noted.

Kara Bridge: a critical corridor

Kara Bridge is one of the busiest sections of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, serving as a key gateway linking Lagos with Ogun State and other parts of southwest and northern Nigeria. The latest maintenance follows a series of interventions by the Federal Ministry of Works to address deteriorating expansion joints and preserve the bridge’s structural integrity.

In March 2026, the Federal Government announced maintenance works on the outbound Lagos section of Kara Bridge, prompting a similar traffic advisory for motorists between March 10 and March 24. Earlier, in May 2025, the Federal Government commenced urgent palliative repairs on failing expansion joints at the Kara, Arepo, and Magboro bridges after identifying them as priority locations requiring immediate intervention.

Those repairs followed concerns over the deteriorating condition of the expansion joints, including an accident near Arepo Bus Stop involving an 18-seater commercial bus that authorities linked to the failure of one of the bridge’s expansion joints. The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, said the repairs were necessary to restore the bridges’ safety, stability, and durability while preventing more serious structural failures.

What this means for motorists and businesses

For commuters and truck operators who rely on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway daily, the two-week partial lane closure means likely delays on the Kara axis, especially during peak hours. Businesses that move goods between Lagos and the southwest or northern regions should factor in extra travel time. The repeated maintenance underscores persistent infrastructure challenges on one of Nigeria’s busiest highways, and any disruption along this corridor can affect transport costs and supply chains in the short term.