The Federal Ministry of Works on Monday removed barriers on section one of the ongoing Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project to facilitate better flow of vehicular traffic.

The Nation reports that workmen used heavy-duty equipment to remove crash barriers and other diversion points for the free flow of traffic on the Opic u-turn section of the highway.

The removal Is a relief for motorists plying the axis, who sometimes spend four to five hours in gridlock due to the ongoing construction.

Supervising the re-opening around OPIC, the Director of Federal Highways, South West Adedamola Kuti said the government promised to re-open the highway to traffic on Thursday but brought it forward to ease gridlock.

Kuti said because of the festive season, all obstructions on section one which spans Ojota in Lagos to Sagamu Interchange were being removed on Monday.

“As part of our Ember Months programme, there was an announcement we made that all barriers at road construction sites will be removed by 15^thof December to allow for free movement this season.

“So, on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway project we have already attained a level to which we can allow those barriers to be removed.

“So rather than waiting for Thursday the 15^thof December, just as we did at the other section, from Old Toll Gate up till Otedola Bridge, which we opened to traffic last week, we have also completed this stretch up to the level where we can allow movement,” he said.

Kuti added all construction would also be halted on section two of the project which spans Sagamu Interchange to Ojoo in Ibadan on Thursday, to further boost movement ahead of the Yuletide. (The Nation)