FG Begins Construction Plans for Modern Carter Bridge in Lagos

FG Begins Construction Plans for Modern Carter Bridge in Lagos

The Federal Government under President Bola Tinubu has officially handed over the construction of a new Carter Bridge in Lagos to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) as part of efforts to strengthen critical infrastructure and improve transportation safety in the state.

Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, disclosed this during the handover ceremony held at Carter Bridge, Lagos Island, on Wednesday.

Umahi said the project followed extensive structural investigations which uncovered serious defects beneath both Carter Bridge and the Third Mainland Bridge.

According to the minister, an initial underwater structural assessment carried out in 2013 under a previous administration revealed disturbing defects affecting the bridges’ foundation systems.

“The past administration commissioned investigation of what was happening with the structural elements below the water, and that was in 2013. Very disturbing defects were noticed in Carter Bridge and Third Mainland Bridge,” Umahi said.

He explained that another investigation conducted in 2019 showed that the structural defects had deteriorated further, prompting the Tinubu administration to engage geologists, marine engineers and specialist divers after assuming office.

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Umahi revealed that findings from the latest assessment confirmed that some piles supporting the bridges had shifted from their pile caps, raising concerns over the long-term safety and stability of the structures.

According to him, consultations were subsequently held with bridge engineers, lawmakers and international infrastructure experts before the Federal Government concluded that constructing a new bridge would be more economical and sustainable than attempting extensive repairs.

The minister stated that experts advised that rehabilitating the existing structure could cost nearly twice the amount required to build a new bridge entirely.

Umahi disclosed that part of the proposed structure would be designed as a modern cable-stayed bridge to improve aesthetics and support maritime navigation activities around Lagos waterways.

“We decided that a section of this Carter Bridge will be a cable bridge. You see the cable bridge we see overseas, very beautiful, and that is to enhance our navigational activities,” he stated.

He praised President Bola Tinubu for prioritising infrastructure development, describing him as a “president of infrastructure.”

According to Umahi, the Federal Government will provide 30 per cent counterpart funding for the project, while the remaining 70 per cent will be sourced through external financing arrangements.

The minister explained that seven construction firms were invited to bid for the project, while six companies eventually submitted bids, including Julius Berger Nigeria.

He said the Bureau of Public Procurement, BPP, recommended China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) after emerging as the most technically and commercially viable bidder.

“The CECC was technically and commercially most viable. That’s why the BPP recommended them and the Federal Executive Council approved the project award,” Umahi added.

The minister directed CCECC to immediately mobilise to the project site, stressing that the government would closely monitor the pace and quality of execution.

He also announced that one carriageway of Eko Bridge would be temporarily shut down from Sunday to allow ongoing infrastructure rehabilitation works in Lagos.

The planned new Carter Bridge project is expected to complement existing transport infrastructure in Lagos and reduce pressure on key routes linking Lagos Island to the Mainland.

Carter Bridge remains one of Lagos’ busiest transport corridors, connecting Iddo, Ebute Metta and Lagos Island while serving thousands of commuters daily.

The development comes amid several major federal infrastructure projects currently ongoing in Lagos, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, rehabilitation of the Third Mainland Bridge and expansion of key road networks across the state.

FG Begins Construction Plans for Modern Carter Bridge in Lagos