Nigeria Approves N548.98 Billion for Carter Bridge Demolition and Reconstruction

Lagos, Nigeria's bustling economic hub, is set to undergo a significant infrastructure upgrade with the federal government's approval of N548.98 billion for the complete demolition and reconstruction of the vital Carter Bridge. This decision, announced by the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, follows years of concern over the bridge's structural integrity, particularly its underwater piles and pile caps, which have deteriorated beyond repair.

The Minister emphasized that multiple technical assessments, spanning over a decade and involving both local and international experts, concluded that partial repairs were impossible. The scale of the deterioration, described as progressing geometrically, necessitated a full rebuild. This comprehensive approach aims to ensure the long-term safety and functionality of one of Lagos's oldest and most critical transport links, which connects the island to the mainland and is a major artery across the Lagos Lagoon.

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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.

The contract for this ambitious project has been awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) after a competitive bidding process. The redesigned bridge will not only be longer, increasing from 1.525 kilometers to 1.93 kilometers, but will also feature enhanced structural upgrades, including an additional flyover ramp. These improvements are designed to significantly ease the notorious traffic congestion that plagues the city, a daily struggle for millions of Lagos residents. Furthermore, the new structure will accommodate dual navigational waterways, improving marine traffic.

This reconstruction is part of a broader initiative to bolster the nation's infrastructure, with the council also approving funds for the rehabilitation of the Third Mainland Bridge. The Carter Bridge's renewal signifies a commitment to modernizing Lagos's transport network, crucial for its continued economic growth. While international firms are involved, the project's scale and impact are deeply felt locally, promising relief for commuters and businesses alike.

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We’ve 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 N548.98 billion.