By Olatunbosun Obafemi
The Federal Government has raised alarm over the significant damage inflicted on the nearly completed Lotto Bridge Interchange along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, following a collision involving a heavy-duty vehicle.
During a site inspection on Monday, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, Mrs. Olukorede Kesha, expressed deep concern over the incident, which she described as a setback for both the infrastructure project and the nation’s economy.
According to Kesha, the damage was caused in the early hours of Thursday by a low-bed articulated truck transporting an excavator. The excavator’s boom was not properly lowered or secured, resulting in a collision with the bridge beams as the vehicle attempted to pass underneath the structure.
“From our assessment, five beams were impacted—two of them severely. Those will require complete replacement,” she said. “This unfortunate event will necessitate a partial closure of the road and traffic diversion, which will significantly affect mobility on one of the country’s busiest highways.”
Kesha lamented the incident’s broad implications, noting not only the potential months-long delay to the bridge’s completion but also the substantial financial cost of repairs.
“The Lagos-Ibadan Expressway is a vital artery for commercial and commuter traffic,” she said. “Any disruption here has a domino effect on economic activity and public convenience. This is not just an engineering problem; it’s a national concern.”
She confirmed that the driver of the vehicle has been arrested by the police, and that a detailed structural assessment has been ongoing since Friday. A full report outlining the scope of work, cost estimates, and a repair plan is being finalized. Work will begin as soon as the necessary approvals are secured.
Kesha criticized the negligence that led to the incident, stressing the need for stricter compliance with transport safety regulations, particularly by logistics operators. She also disclosed that weighbridges would soon be operational at the Old Toll Gate to monitor overloading and enforce height limits.
“This bridge had a clearance of 5.6 to 6 metres – higher than the national standard of five metres – because we anticipated issues like this,” she stated. “What happened is a clear example of what can go wrong when basic safety protocols are ignored.”
The Lotto Bridge, designed to decongest traffic and improve access to Ikorodu, Mowe, and Sagamu, was at an advanced stage of completion, with only the connecting ramps remaining. Its opening has now been indefinitely postponed.
“We owe Nigerians safe and durable infrastructure,” Kesha added. “Until the damage is fully repaired and the structure certified safe, the bridge will remain closed.”
She reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding national infrastructure and holding accountable those whose actions endanger public safety.
