The Federal Government is currently exploring rehabilitation options for the deteriorating Carter Bridge in Lagos, following growing concerns about several engineering defects.
Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, revealed this after conducting an on-site inspection of the bridge in Lagos alongside engineers from his ministry.
The bridge functions as a critical connection between Lagos Island and the Mainland.
Expressing alarm at the condition of the carriageway, the minister described the bridge as hazardous and in dire need of immediate intervention.
He said the Federal Government is considering a proposal to either replace the bridge with a cable-stayed design—estimated at N320 billion and regarded as more durable and cost-efficient—or undertake full-scale repairs projected to cost N380 billion.
Umahi noted that while Julius Berger had completed 80 percent of the repairs above water, further assessments uncovered extensive damage below the surface, including corroded support piles and dislodged caps, which have significantly weakened the bridge—similar to the issues that prompted restrictions on truck traffic on the Third Mainland Bridge.
He also revealed that only two companies have submitted bids for the ongoing bridge rehabilitation efforts in Lagos: BuildWell for the Third Mainland Bridge and Julius Berger for the Carter Bridge.
The minister stated that the government is currently assessing both proposals and will present its recommendations to the President for final approval.
He explained that the ministry is closely reviewing Julius Berger’s submission and will forward its conclusions to President Bola Tinubu once the evaluation is complete.
Emphasising that similar structural issues were identified during assessments in 2012 and 2019, the minister argued that constructing a new bridge could provide a lifespan of over 100 years while costing less than the proposed repair works.
He also praised the new management of Julius Berger for its collaborative approach in addressing project challenges, noting that this has significantly improved the ministry’s working relationship with the company.
“The collaborative approach of Julius Berger’s new management is commendable, and it is important for all stakeholders to be aligned on any project. This is kudos to the managing director, who has proven to be a humble professional, eager to build fresh relationships with fellow stakeholders,” Umahi said.
The minister commended Julius Berger’s new leadership for fostering a spirit of collaboration, adding that, “Julius Berger quoted for the project, I think, N27 billion or thereabout, but after much negotiation and discussion, we now arrived at N17 billion.”
Umahi referred to the company as a “born-again Berger,” crediting the progress in negotiations to the transparency and willingness of its new managing director.
Recognising the severity of the underwater damage to the Carter Bridge, the company’s Regional Technical Manager for Region West, Thomas Christl, stated that work began on the bridge in 2024.
He noted that initial efforts focused on repairing handrails and pile caps above the waterline, but the existing contract does not include the complete restoration required.
“After our investigations, we suggested that a full replacement might be better. A new bridge will last up to 100 years, and international investors are ready to help finance it,” Christl added.
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