Federal and Benue state governments are planning to expand the Wurukum Flyover into a dual carriageway on both sides of the bridge, a revision intended to relieve congestion around one of Makurdi’s busiest intersections as the project approaches 70% completion.
Mukaila Danladi, the Federal Controller of Works in Benue, said the proposed redesign follows a request from Gov. Hyacinth Alia to increase the structure’s capacity and improve vehicle movement around the Wurukum Roundabout.
The revised design remains subject to approval, Danladi said.
The original design called for an 11-metre-wide bridge, including two 3.65-metre carriageways, a 0.7-metre walkway and a 0.4-metre median.
Under the proposed plan, the carriageway width would rise to 10.3 metres on each side, separated by a one-metre median.
Danladi said the additional road space is intended to improve traffic flow through the roundabout and accommodate growing vehicular demand.
The request has required the government to review portions of the ongoing project, slowing work on components affected by the proposed changes.
The flyover is 69.87% complete, according to Danladi, who acknowledged that construction has disrupted traffic in the area.
“Immediately the review is approved, we would want to introduce some diversions around that location,” he said, adding that some earlier diversions had been lifted to ease movement but more could follow once expansion work begins.
He said construction should accelerate as the rainy season subsides.
The federal government began construction of the flyover on September 15, 2025, as part of the second phase of the Makurdi–9th Mile Road dualisation project.
Works Minister Dave Umahi described the flyover at the flag-off as a gift to Benue from President Bola Tinubu.
The broader road project is intended to improve transport links and economic activity across Benue, Enugu and surrounding states.
Gov. Alia said it would ease the movement of agricultural produce and strengthen connections among Nigeria’s North-east, South-east and South-south regions.
NewsQuest reports that the Makurdi–9th Mile dualisation spans roughly 250.6 kilometres across five sections, plus a 15.8-kilometre Lafia bypass; the Wurukum Flyover forms part of the first section.
