President Bola Tinubu has approved the reconstruction of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway with reinforced concrete pavement and the extension of the Fourth Legacy Highway by an additional 400 kilometres, bringing the strategic road corridor to about 1,100 kilometres.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the approvals on Thursday in Abuja, describing them as major milestones in the Federal Government’s infrastructure renewal programme aimed at improving national connectivity and economic growth.
Umahi said the newly approved extension of the Fourth Legacy Highway will pass through Taraba State, strengthening links between the North-Central and North-East regions. He explained that the expanded route would traverse several historic communities and key towns before connecting to Taraba, further advancing the government’s vision of an integrated national road network.
The minister also disclosed that Tinubu approved the complete reconstruction of the 135-kilometre Lagos-Ibadan Expressway after sections of the highway began deteriorating less than five years after rehabilitation. According to him, the road will be rebuilt with reinforced concrete pavement, which is expected to last between 50 and 100 years with minimal maintenance, replacing the asphalt surface that has repeatedly failed despite repairs.
In addition, the President approved the completion of the abandoned Ibi Bridge project in Taraba State, the construction of the 5.76-kilometre Lau Bridge across the Benue River, and the dualisation of an additional 400 kilometres of the East-West Road from Lokoja to Benin. Umahi said the projects would enhance road safety, facilitate trade, reduce travel time and improve regional integration across the country.
The minister further announced that the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway has been renamed the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Coastal Highway in recognition of the President’s long-standing vision for the project. He added that construction is progressing on multiple sections of the coastal highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway and the Trans-Sahara Highway, noting that the Tinubu administration remains committed to delivering legacy infrastructure projects under its Renewed Hope Agenda.
