LAGOS — The Federal Government has officially commenced the demolition of the ageing Carter Bridge in Lagos, paving the way for a new 1.93km bridge estimated to cost N548.98 billion .
The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, said the decision to demolish the existing structure was taken after repeated technical assessments conducted in 2013, 2019, and under the current administration established that the bridge had deteriorated beyond rehabilitation . He revealed that underwater surveys found severe damage to the bridge’s piles and pile caps, with corrosion, scouring, and illegal sand mining all contributing to the structural failure .
“Carter Bridge has stayed for over 60 to 70 years with no maintenance. The lifespan of every bridge is about 50 years,” Umahi stated .
CDA News Nigeria gathered that the government is accelerating the reconstruction timeline from 36 months to 24 months due to the bridge’s strategic importance to Lagos traffic . The new bridge will feature additional ramps, a flyover section, and a cable-stayed structure with two 105-metre navigational waterways to improve traffic flow and marine navigation .
CDA News Nigeria reports that the contract was awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). The contractor has completed about 15% of preparatory work, including establishing its project yard and constructing access roads, with piling expected to begin soon . Umahi stressed that the bridge cannot be completely shut during construction to avoid severe traffic chaos in Lagos .
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