The Federal Government has commenced the demolition of Carter Bridge in Lagos, marking the start of a project to replace the aging structure with a new 1.93km bridge costing N548.98bn. Minister of Works David Umahi confirmed that the decision followed technical assessments conducted in 2013, 2019, and under the current administration, all of which concluded that the bridge's underwater foundations had deteriorated beyond repair.
Umahi explained that the underwater piles and pile caps suffered severe deterioration due to decades of heavy traffic and exposure to the marine environment. This made rehabilitation unviable, leaving full reconstruction as the only safe and sustainable option.
Why Rehabilitation Was Ruled Out
Before settling on reconstruction, the Federal Government considered restoring the existing bridge. However, the technical assessments revealed that the submerged structural components were badly damaged, making a new build safer and more durable than repairs. The existing Carter Bridge, which stretches approximately 1.525 kilometers, has served as a critical link between Lagos Island and the mainland for decades.
The replacement bridge will be longer, running approximately 1.93 kilometers, and will include a flyover ramp designed to ease a persistent traffic bottleneck in the area. Additionally, the new bridge will feature two navigational waterways, each 105 meters wide, to accommodate marine traffic along that corridor.
Contract and Cost Breakdown
The Federal Executive Council approved N5.6bn for advanced engineering consultancy, design, and costing before awarding the main reconstruction contract. The full contract, valued at N548.98bn, was awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) after a competitive bidding process that also involved Julius Berger, CBC, and China Harbour High Tech.
With demolition now underway, the Lagos Island-mainland corridor is expected to face traffic disruption as construction progresses. The government said it would implement traffic management measures to reduce the impact on motorists and commuters who depend on the route and surrounding roads.
Project as Part of Wider Infrastructure Push
The Federal Government described the project as part of a broader effort to replace aging infrastructure and address structural weaknesses in critical transport links across the country. The anticipated improvement to traffic flow, particularly through the flyover ramp, remains contingent on timely completion of the new bridge.
The demolition and reconstruction of Carter Bridge represent a significant step in modernizing Nigeria's transport infrastructure, with the new structure expected to enhance connectivity between Lagos Island and the mainland for years to come.
