President Bola Tinubu has given the green light for the complete reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, opting for durable reinforced concrete pavement to replace the failing asphalt surface. The Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced this approval during a media briefing in Abuja, confirming that the President's decision came after it became clear that the existing road was deteriorating rapidly.
Umahi explained that the 135-kilometre dual carriageway, which was rehabilitated less than five years ago, has already begun to show signs of significant distress. He noted that the asphalt surface has repeatedly failed despite several repair attempts, prompting the need for a more permanent solution. The minister stated that the use of reinforced concrete pavement is expected to last between fifty and one hundred years with minimal maintenance, which would eliminate the recurring cost of constant repairs.
The Minister further justified the decision by citing the repeated failure of the asphalt pavement on the busy corridor, which serves as a critical link between Nigeria's commercial capital and the rest of the country. He noted that journalists and members of the National Assembly had been taken to the site to witness the extent of the road's deterioration. The approval is part of a broader infrastructure renewal programme under the Tinubu administration, which also includes the expansion of other key highways and the completion of several legacy projects across the country.
In addition to the expressway reconstruction, the President also approved the extension of the Fourth Legacy Highway by an additional four hundred kilometres, increasing its total length from approximately seven hundred to about one thousand one hundred kilometres. This extension is expected to pass through Taraba State and is aimed at strengthening road links between the North-Central and North-East regions, boosting economic activities and national integration.
Abuja Network News
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