Lagos’ iconic Carter Bridge is set for a ₦548.98 billion total rebuild after the Federal Government approved its demolition.
Speaking after Thursday’s FEC meeting, Works Minister Dave Umahi explained that the “beyond repair” status of the bridge’s underwater infrastructure left the government with no other choice.
Investigations dating back to 2013 have consistently shown that the bridge can no longer be salvaged.
“We convocated a stakeholders’ engagement, and all the technical experts all over the country, and even internationally, all agreed that we could not redeem Carter Bridge, and it has to be completely demolished and rebuilt,” Umahi said.
He explained that the underwater piles and pile caps had deteriorated at what he described as a “geometrical progression,” leaving demolition and full reconstruction as the only viable option.
The contract was won by CCCC after a competitive bidding process that included Julius Berger, CCECC, CBC, and China Harbour High Tech.
Umahi said the new bridge would be longer than the original, with the total length extended from 1.525 kilometres to 1.93 kilometres following the addition of a flyover ramp designed to eliminate the bottleneck that has long plagued traffic flow in the area.
“We have gone through rigorous procurement and design. The initial total length of that bridge was 1.525 kilometres, with three lanes, dualised. We have now increased the project to 1.93 kilometres because we increased a flyover ramp, so that the bottleneck that is usually there will no longer exist. The total contract sum approved is N548.98bn,” he said.
The new bridge will also feature a navigational waterway of 105 metres by two, according to the minister.
The FEC also separately approved N24.89 billion for underwater elements of the Third Mainland Bridge, to be handled by Julius Berger, among projects being readied for commissioning ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s third anniversary in office on May 29.
Persecondnews recalls that the historic Carter Bridge—named after former British Governor Gilbert Carter—is a lifeline for Lagos, bridging the gap between the Island and the mainland.
Yet, despite its importance, the structure has been “on life support” for years, plagued by recurring safety concerns that led to frequent repairs and heavy-vehicle bans.
Years of heavy use and the punishing, corrosive effects of its saltwater environment have finally taken their toll, leaving the foundational infrastructure beyond the reach of simple maintenance.
Author
Leave a comment