Eko Bridge carriageway shuts Sunday as FG begins emergency repairs

Eko Bridge carriageway shuts Sunday as FG begins emergency repairs

 

The Federal Government has ordered the closure of one entire carriageway of the Eko Bridge in Lagos beginning from midnight on Sunday, May 9, to allow for emergency repair works on the ageing structure.

Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced the closure on Wednesday during the handover of the Carter Bridge rehabilitation project to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation in Lagos.

Umahi said the affected carriageway would be completely shut to traffic while vehicles would be diverted to the remaining section of the bridge.

“By the midnight of this coming Sunday, that full carriageway must be closed. The other carriageway will be working,” he said.

The minister directed officials of the Federal Ministry of Works to collaborate with the Lagos State Government on traffic management and public awareness campaigns to reduce the impact of the closure on commuters.

“I am directing the director of bridges and the controller of works in Lagos to liaise with Lagos State Government and mount campaign of awareness and see if we can get an alternative route.

“We will not allow people to endanger their lives. We are a responsible administration,” Umahi added.

He explained that the emergency work would involve lifting an entire span of the damaged section of the bridge to address structural defects discovered beneath the surface.

According to him, engineers will expose the pier and pier cap before carrying out piling works, strengthening the pier cap and replacing damaged piles supporting the bridge.

“The best solution is that we are going to be lifting a whole span of the affected section,” he said.

Umahi disclosed that the government had also engaged Buildwell Construction and divers to conduct a detailed investigation of the damaged components to guide the final repair design.

He directed that the assessment should be completed within 10 days.

The minister apologised to Lagos residents over the inconvenience the closure would cause, saying the current administration inherited many of the structural problems affecting the bridge infrastructure.

“When we came on board, some sections of Eko Bridge were totally burned down because people were staying under the bridge selling chemicals and all sorts of wares,” he said.

He added that rehabilitation efforts previously stalled due to funding challenges but received renewed support under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Umahi also assured Nigerians that the Federal Government would soon commence major reinforcement work on the Third Mainland Bridge following multiple structural investigations.

According to him, an external expert has been invited to review previous assessments and design strengthening measures for deteriorating piers and other damaged sections of the bridge.