The Minister of Works and Housing, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, announced on Saturday that the main carriageway of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is expected to be completed ahead of schedule on April 30th. Fashola made the statement while inspecting the ongoing construction work on the highway, accompanied by Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Works and Infrastructure, Mrs. Aramide Adeyoye, Commissioner for Transportation Dr. Frederick Oladeinde, and other engineers.
Despite challenges such as high vehicular volume, poor soil conditions, reckless driving, and technical issues, Fashola highlighted the efforts made to maintain construction speed. He also explained how traffic and law enforcement agencies from Lagos State and Ogun have implemented measures to reduce the impact of gridlock on motorists and commuters.
During the Easter holiday, emergency measures were put in place by the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mr. Umar Bakare, to ease congestion for travelers. According to Fashola, the contractors are currently working on the last six kilometers, which is the most challenging part of the 44-kilometer section one of the highway, stretching from Ojota in Lagos to Sagamu Interchange.
To ensure the timely completion of the project, three teams comprising 450 construction workers have been deployed, working simultaneously on three sections with approximately 110 pieces of equipment, machines, and trucks. Fashola remains optimistic about meeting the April 30th deadline, barring any unforeseen developments.
To address frequent accidents on the Otedola Bridge, Fashola explained that some properties may need to be relocated, and additional engineering solutions implemented. He added that the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway reconstruction/rehabilitation project aims to tackle issues such as street trading, reckless driving, and other road user excesses. Once the project is completed, law enforcement and traffic regulatory agencies will be better equipped to enforce order and maintain the highway’s condition.
