Eko Bridge Carriageway to Close Sunday as Umahi Unveils New Carter Bridge Project
Nigeria government has officially handed over the construction of a new Carter Bridge in Lagos to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), as part of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s infrastructure renewal agenda aimed at safeguarding critical national assets and ensuring public safety. The handover ceremony took place at Carter Bridge, Lagos Island, on Wednesday.
Speaking at the event, the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, said the decision to build a new bridge followed years of structural investigations that revealed serious defects beneath both Carter Bridge and the 3rd Mainland Bridge.
According to him, the first underwater structural assessment was carried out in 2013, while another was conducted in 2019. The reports showed that the defects had continued to worsen.
“The past administration commissioned an investigation into what was happening with the structural elements below the water in 2013, and very disturbing defects were discovered in Carter Bridge and 3rd Mainland Bridge,” Umahi said.
He explained that after assuming office, the present administration engaged geologists and specialist divers to carry out further underwater investigations. The findings confirmed that some of the piles supporting the bridges had shifted from their pile caps.
“It’s just like the hip of the leg is cut off,” he said, describing the extent of the damage.
Umahi said the government subsequently held extensive consultations with bridge experts, stakeholders, members of the National Assembly and foreign professionals to determine the most viable solution.
According to him, technical experts advised that rehabilitating Carter Bridge would cost nearly twice as much as constructing a completely new bridge. Based on that recommendation, the Federal Government approved the construction of a new modern structure.
He disclosed that part of the new Carter Bridge would feature a cable-stayed design to improve navigation and enhance the aesthetics of Lagos.
“We decided that a section of this Carter Bridge will be a cable bridge — the kind we see overseas — very beautiful, and that will enhance navigational activities,” he said.
Umahi said the project is expected to last 36 months.
He commended President Tinubu for what he described as bold leadership and commitment to infrastructure development across the country.
The project, valued at ₦545 billion, will be financed through a combination of Federal Government counterpart funding and external borrowing. Under the arrangement, the Federal Government will provide 30 per cent of the funding, while 70 per cent will come from external sources.
The minister said due process was followed in selecting the contractor. He noted that seven firms were invited to bid, while six submitted proposals, including Julius Berger.
According to him, CCECC emerged as the most technically and commercially viable bidder.
“CCECC was technically and commercially the most viable. That is why the Bureau of Public Procurement recommended the company, and the Federal Executive Council approved the award,” he said.
Formally handing over the site, Umahi directed the contractor to mobilise immediately, assuring Nigerians that the Ministry of Works would monitor progress monthly to ensure compliance with technical and safety standards.
Meanwhile, the minister announced the emergency closure of one carriageway of Eko Bridge following severe structural damage caused by illegal sand mining activities.
He disclosed that illegal dredging around the bridge led to the destruction of several supporting piles after a barge struck one of the pile caps.
“When they hit the pile cap, they broke three piles. When they tried to remove the barge, they broke another two,” he said.
Umahi explained that the damage had weakened part of the bridge, resulting in visible cracks and structural instability that could pose a serious threat to lives if urgent action was not taken.
As a precautionary measure, he directed that one carriageway of Eko Bridge be shut down by midnight on Sunday, May 10, while the unaffected carriageway remains open to traffic.
“We will not allow people to endanger their lives. We are a responsible administration,” he said.
He further disclosed that the Federal Government had already developed an emergency technical solution involving the lifting of an entire span of the bridge to expose and repair the damaged sections beneath.
According to him, Buildwell Construction, which has handled similar bridge lifting operations on Eko Bridge in the past, will execute the emergency repairs alongside underwater structural investigations by specialist divers.
The minister said President Tinubu had been fully briefed on the situation and directed that it be treated as an emergency.
“The President directed that I should be in Lagos to examine the situation and treat it as an emergency, and that is exactly what we are doing,” Umahi said.
He appealed to Lagos residents for patience and understanding, assuring them that the Federal Government remains committed to protecting lives and preserving critical infrastructure.
“We are solving problems we did not create, but that is why you voted for us. We will continue to work day and night,” he said.
