By Daniel Oluwatobiloba Popoola
The Federal Government has commenced the demolition of the ageing Carter Bridge in Lagos to pave the way for a new 1.93-kilometre bridge estimated to cost N548.98 billion.
Announcing the development, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, said the decision followed repeated technical assessments which established that the existing bridge had deteriorated beyond rehabilitation, particularly its underwater foundations.
He explained that assessments conducted in 2013 and 2019, and again under the present administration, all reached the same conclusion regarding the structure’s condition, noting that the underwater piles and pile caps had suffered severe deterioration, making complete demolition and reconstruction necessary.
Umahi disclosed that the existing Carter Bridge measures about 1.525 kilometres, while the proposed replacement will extend to approximately 1.93 kilometres.
He added that the new structure would also feature a flyover ramp designed to address a major traffic bottleneck around the bridge and improve connectivity between Lagos Island and the mainland.
According to him, the replacement bridge would further incorporate two navigational waterways, each measuring 105 metres.
The minister stated that the contract for the project was awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) following a competitive bidding process that involved other major construction firms, including Julius Berger, CBC and China Harbour High Tech.
He recalled that the Federal Executive Council had earlier approved N5.6 billion for advanced engineering consultancy, design and costing on the project, before subsequently approving the N548.98 billion reconstruction contract.
Umahi noted that Carter Bridge had served as a major link between Lagos Island and the mainland for decades, remaining an important route for commuters and businesses operating across both parts of the city.
He, however, explained that prolonged exposure to heavy traffic and the marine environment had contributed to the deterioration of the structure, particularly its submerged components.
The Minister said the Federal Government had initially considered rehabilitation but eventually rejected the option after technical assessments showed that rebuilding would offer a safer and more sustainable solution.
He acknowledged that the commencement of demolition would affect traffic along the Lagos Island-mainland corridor as construction progresses, adding that government would deploy traffic management measures to minimise disruption to motorists and commuters who rely on the bridge and adjoining routes.
Umahi expressed optimism that the replacement project would improve traffic flow upon completion, particularly through the inclusion of the planned flyover.
He described the reconstruction as part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to replace ageing infrastructure and address structural deficiencies in critical transport links across the country.
With demolition now underway, the N548.98 billion project has entered its construction phase, with its eventual impact on traffic, connectivity and the safety of the Lagos Island-mainland corridor set to depend on the timely completion of the new bridge.
