FG begins repairs on Kano eastern bypass to reduce traffic congestion

The Federal Roads Maintenance Agency has commenced repairs on the 13-kilometre dilapidated Kano Eastern Bypass as part of measures to reduce traffic congestion in Kano metropolis.

The Supervising Engineer, Sarfil Umar, disclosed this while speaking with journalists during an inspection of the project on Saturday in Kano.

He said the work was being executed through direct labour, with about 70 FERMA personnel and other engaged workers deployed across the corridor.

According to him, the road is a strategic federal highway linking the Maiduguri Road corridor to Katsina and Kaduna through the city’s eastern bypass.

Beyond easing traffic flow, the intervention is expected to prolong the lifespan of the highway by preventing rain-induced pavement deterioration, reducing the need for more costly rehabilitation works in the future and lowering vehicle operating costs for thousands of commuters and commercial transporters that rely on the route daily.

“The bypass serves as a critical transport artery within Kano, connecting long-haul traffic from the North-East with the North-West while allowing motorists to bypass congestion within the metropolitan area,” he said.

He explained that the bypass is widely used by trucks conveying agricultural produce, livestock, petroleum products and manufactured goods between Kano and neighbouring states, making its condition vital to regional trade and logistics

The maintenance project, which commenced on July 23, is expected to be completed within the next two weeks,” he said.

According to Umar, the project involves pothole patching, desilting drains, clearing refuse and other obstructions from drainage channels, and repairing damaged street lighting poles along the dual carriageway.

He said the intervention became necessary because of the ongoing rainy season, noting that blocked drainage channels expose road pavements to prolonged water retention, one of the leading causes of pavement failure on federal highways.

“Our priority is to restore damaged sections of the road, reopen drainage channels and improve safety for road users,” he said.

Umar explained that drainage maintenance is a critical component of road asset preservation because stagnant water weakens the road foundation, accelerates the formation of potholes and shortens the lifespan of asphalt pavements.

He urged residents and road users to desist from dumping refuse into drainage channels, warning that blocked waterways increase the risk of flooding and undermine government investments in road infrastructure.

FERMA’s Kano State Coordinator, Bashir Mohammed Isma, said the agency remained committed to preserving federal roads through timely routine maintenance aimed at preventing extensive structural failures.

The ongoing work is focused on restoring the carriageway to a serviceable condition while ensuring that drainage systems function effectively throughout the rainy season.

“The repair of damaged street lighting poles is also expected to improve night-time visibility and enhance security for motorists using the route, particularly heavy-duty truck operators, who account for a significant proportion of traffic on the corridor,” he added.