Bridge Expands to 1.93km, Gets Flyover Ramp
Third Mainland Bridge Secures ₦24.89bn for Underwater Repairs
The Federal Government has approved ₦548.98 billion for the demolition and reconstruction of the Carter Bridge , following assessments that showed it could not be repaired.
Minister of Works Dave Umahi announced this on Thursday after the Federal Executive Council meeting led by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Umahi said that structural investigations in 2013, 2019, and recently all found the bridge was beyond repair. “We convened a stakeholders’ engagement, and all the experts agreed the bridge must be completely demolished and rebuilt,” he said. He added that engineers and other stakeholders reached a consensus.
He explained that the underwater piles and pile caps had become badly damaged over time, so rebuilding the bridge is the only way to keep it safe and strong for the future.
The contract was awarded to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation following a competitive bidding process. Umahi said that all proper procedures were followed in choosing the contractor.
He also said the new Carter Bridge will be longer, growing from 1.525 kilometres to 1.93 kilometres, and will include a flyover ramp to help reduce traffic. “The total contract sum approved is ₦548.98 billion,” he said.
The redesigned bridge will have dual carriageways and better waterways to improve transport.
The minister said the project should help solve long-standing traffic problems and make it easier to travel in Lagos and nearby areas once it is finished.
The Federal Executive Council also approved ₦24.89 billion for underwater repairs on the Third Mainland Bridge. Julius Berger will handle this project, focusing on strengthening the piles under the water to keep one of Lagos’ busiest bridges strong and safe.