FG, Benue to expand Makurdi flyover to dual carriageway

The federal and Benue state governments are planning to expand the Wurukum Flyover in Makurdi to a dual carriageway on either side of the bridge to enhance visitors move across the busy roundabout.

Mukaila Danladi, the Federal Controller of Works in Benue, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Makurdi.

Mr Danladi stated the proposed enlargement adopted a request by Governor Hyacinth Alia to improve the bridge’s capability and ease vehicular motion.

He stated the request had necessitated a evaluation of some parts of the continued venture, including that the revised design can be carried out after approval.

According to him, the flyover was initially designed with a complete width of 11 metres, comprising two carriageways of three.65 metres every, a 0.7-metre walkway and a 0.4-metre median.

The proposed design would improve the carriageway width to 10.3 metres on both sides, with a one-metre median.

Mr Danladi stated the enlargement would offer further highway area and enhance visitors motion across the Wurukum Roundabout.

He acknowledged that development had affected visitors within the space and urged motorists and residents to train endurance.

“Immediately the review is approved, we would want to introduce some diversions around that location,” he stated.

He added that some earlier diversions had been eliminated to ease motion, however additional diversions may be launched when work on the enlargement started.

The controller stated the venture had reached 69.87 per cent completion. He added that the flyover was included into the unique highway contract on the request of the Benue State Government.

He stated the proposed adjustments had slowed work on some parts affected by the design evaluation.

Mr Danladi expressed optimism that development would progress sooner because the wet season waned.

Background

The federal authorities formally flagged off development of the Wurukum Flyover on 15 September 2025 as a part of the second section of the Makurdi–ninth Mile Road dualisation venture.

At the flag-off ceremony in Makurdi, the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, described the flyover as a present to Benue State from President Bola Tinubu.

Mr Umahi stated the broader highway venture was anticipated to enhance transportation and stimulate financial exercise throughout Benue, Enugu and different components of the area.

Governor Alia, who flagged off the venture on behalf of the president, stated the highway would enhance the motion of agricultural produce and strengthen connections between Nigeria’s North-east, South-east and South-south areas.

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The venture’s lead marketing consultant, Adam Onundi, stated the Makurdi–ninth Mile dualisation was divided into 5 sections masking about 250.6 kilometres, as well as to the 15.8-kilometre Lafia Bypass.

The Wurukum Flyover types a part of the primary part of the Makurdi–ninth Mile stretch.

Makurdi–Enugu highway venture

Providing an replace on the broader highway venture, Mr Danladi stated development was progressing satisfactorily alongside the Makurdi–Otukpo–Ninth Mile–Enugu Road.

He stated work had reached the layer previous asphalt surfacing on about 150 kilometres of the roughly 250-kilometre highway, whereas the ultimate asphalt floor had been accomplished on about 87 kilometres.

The controller urged motorists and different highway customers to obey visitors directions and cooperate with development groups working alongside the routes.

The proposed flyover enlargement is predicted to present further capability on the Wurukum Roundabout, though the revised design stays topic to approval.