FG Sets 24-Month Deadline To Complete Carter Bridge Reconstruction
The Federal Government has reduced the timeline for the reconstruction of Lagos’ Carter Bridge from 36 months to 24 months, Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has said.
Umahi disclosed this on Monday during an inspection of the ongoing reconstruction of Carter and Iddo Bridges in Lagos.
The minister, who was accompanied by the Minister of State for Works, Mohammed Goronyo, and members of the National Assembly, said the accelerated timeline was necessary because of the bridge’s critical role in Lagos’ transportation network.
Carter Bridge, which spans about 1.58 kilometres, has been in service for more than six decades and has suffered significant structural deterioration due to inadequate maintenance.
According to Umahi, an underwater assessment revealed that several piles supporting the bridge had detached from their pile caps, while rust, scouring and illegal sand mining had further weakened the structure.
He said a new design had been completed to improve traffic flow and strengthen the bridge against future deterioration.
The redesigned bridge will feature additional ramps to reduce congestion, while one carriageway will be constructed above the other. A cable-stayed section will also be added to provide adequate clearance for navigation.
The minister said the contractor, China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), had completed about 15 per cent of the preparatory works, including the construction of access roads and establishment of a project yard.
He added that piling activities were expected to commence before the end of the week.
Umahi further disclosed that gabions and other protective measures would be installed around the bridge foundations to guard against erosion and scouring.
He explained that the existing Carter Bridge could not be completely closed during construction because of its importance to Lagos’ traffic system.
“If we close Carter Bridge, Lagos will go into katakata. That is why we are maintaining it while the reconstruction is going on,” he said.
The minister also said similar measures were being undertaken on the Third Mainland Bridge to extend its service life by another 50 years.
He expressed confidence that the reconstructed Carter Bridge could remain functional for more than 100 years, owing to the engineering innovations incorporated into the new design.
