WorldStage– The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved the demolition and reconstruction of Carter Bridge in Lagos at a cost of N548.98 billion, following technical assessments that found the structure no longer salvageable.
Minister of Works, Mr Dave Umahi, disclosed this on Thursday after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Umahi said the decision was based on multiple structural investigations conducted in 2013, 2019, and under the current administration, all of which concluded that the bridge had deteriorated beyond repair.
“We convocated a stakeholders’ engagement, and all the experts agreed the bridge must be completely demolished and rebuilt,” he said, citing consensus among engineers and relevant stakeholders involved in the review.
The minister explained that the underwater piles and pile caps had deteriorated significantly over time, making full reconstruction the only viable option to ensure safety and long-term structural integrity.
He said the contract was awarded to CCCC after a competitive bidding process involving several major firms, noting that due process was followed in selecting the contractor for the project.
Umahi stated that the new bridge would be expanded from 1.525 kilometres to 1.93 kilometres, including the addition of a flyover ramp to help ease traffic congestion in the area.
“The total contract sum approved is N548.98 billion,” he said, adding that the redesigned bridge would feature dual carriageways and improved navigational waterways for enhanced transportation efficiency.
He noted that the project aimed to eliminate long-standing traffic bottlenecks and significantly improved connectivity within Lagos and surrounding areas upon completion of the reconstruction works.
The Federal Executive Council also approved N24.89 billion for underwater works on the Third Mainland Bridge, with the project to be handled by construction firm Julius Berger.
