The decades-old Carter Bridge in Lagos is finally giving way, with the Federal Government beginning its demolition to pave the way for a massive N548.98bn replacement project.
The Works Minister, David Umahi, said the decision to pull down the iconic bridge followed several technical assessments which found that the structure had deteriorated too badly to be safely rehabilitated.
According to Umahi, assessments carried out in 2013, 2019 and again under the current administration all reached a similar verdict: the bridge’s underwater foundations had suffered severe damage.
He said the submerged piles and pile caps were particularly affected, making complete demolition and reconstruction the safest option.
The existing Carter Bridge stretches about 1.525km, while the new bridge will be longer, measuring approximately 1.93km.
But the replacement is not just about putting up another bridge. The Federal Government plans to add a flyover ramp aimed at tackling one of the notorious traffic choke points around the bridge and improving movement between Lagos Island and the mainland.
The new bridge will also feature two navigational channels, each measuring 105 metres, to allow vessels to pass beneath the structure.
The reconstruction contract was awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) after a competitive bidding process involving major construction firms, including Julius Berger, CBC and China Harbour High Tech.
Before the main contract was approved, the Federal Executive Council had sanctioned N5.6bn for advanced engineering consultancy, design and costing for the project.
Carter Bridge has for decades served as one of Lagos’ key transport links, carrying thousands of commuters, traders and businesses between Lagos Island and the mainland.
But years of heavy traffic, coupled with constant exposure to the harsh marine environment, have taken a heavy toll on the structure.
Although rehabilitation was initially considered, the government said technical investigations eventually showed that repairing the ageing bridge would not provide the level of safety and durability required.
With demolition now underway, motorists and commuters using the Lagos Island-mainland corridor could face fresh traffic headaches as construction gathers momentum.
Authorities are expected to introduce traffic management measures to reduce the disruption and keep alternative routes moving.
When completed, the new bridge is expected to provide a stronger and safer connection between the two sides of Lagos while easing congestion through its planned flyover.
The government has described the project as part of its wider drive to replace ageing infrastructure and strengthen critical transport links.
For now, however, the familiar Carter Bridge is heading into history as work begins on a new N548.98bn structure expected to reshape one of Lagos’ busiest transport corridors.
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