FG Awards N545bn Carter Bridge Project, Orders Partial Closure Of Eko Bridge

The Federal Government has approved the reconstruction of the Carter Bridge in Lagos at a cost of N545 billion, awarding the contract to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) as part of efforts to address critical infrastructure challenges.

Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, announced the development on Wednesday during the official handover of the project site on Lagos Island. He said the decision followed extensive technical investigations which revealed severe structural defects in both Carter Bridge and the Third Mainland Bridge.

According to Umahi, earlier assessments conducted in 2013 and 2019 had raised concerns, but recent underwater inspections showed that the damage had worsened significantly, with some supporting piles displaced from their caps.

He explained that expert advice indicated that rehabilitating the bridge would cost nearly twice as much as constructing a new one, prompting the government to opt for a complete rebuild.

“The level of damage is critical. Some of the piles have shifted away from their pile caps, posing serious structural risks,” Umahi said.

The new Carter Bridge will feature a modern cable-stayed design aimed at improving navigation and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of Lagos’ infrastructure. The project is expected to be completed within 36 months, with funding structured as 30 per cent federal government contribution and 70 per cent external financing.

Umahi stated that the contract award followed due process, with six firms participating in the bidding. He noted that CCECC emerged as the most technically and commercially viable bidder, receiving approval from the Bureau of Public Procurement and the Federal Executive Council.

In a related development, the minister announced the emergency closure of one carriageway of Eko Bridge due to severe structural damage caused by illegal dredging activities.

He disclosed that barges involved in sand mining had struck and damaged key structural components, breaking several piles and weakening the bridge.

“As a safety measure, one carriageway will be shut from midnight on May 10, 2026, while the other remains open to traffic,” he said.

Umahi added that emergency repair works, including underwater interventions, had commenced, assuring residents that the government was taking urgent steps to prevent potential disasters.

He appealed for public patience, noting that the temporary disruptions were necessary to ensure long-term safety and durability of critical transport infrastructure in Lagos.