The Federal Executive Council has endorsed a full reconstruction of the aging Carter Bridge, citing severe structural damage and safety concerns after years of technical assessments.
The Federal Government of Nigeria has approved ₦548.98 billion for the demolition and complete reconstruction of Carter Bridge in Lagos, one of the city’s busiest transport links.
The decision was ratified by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) during a meeting in Abuja, with Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, confirming that the existing structure can no longer be salvaged due to extensive deterioration beneath the water.
According to Umahi, multiple engineering assessments conducted over several years revealed that the bridge’s underwater piles and structural components had deteriorated beyond repair, making total reconstruction the only viable option.
“We could not redeem Carter Bridge… it has to be completely demolished and rebuilt,” the minister said, noting that both local and international experts supported the decision after stakeholder consultations.
The Carter Bridge, which connects Lagos Island to the mainland, is a critical artery for daily commuters and commercial traffic, handling heavy vehicular movement across the state.
Officials say the project forms part of broader federal efforts to modernise Nigeria’s transport infrastructure and improve safety on key routes.
Earlier approvals by the FEC had covered the design and costing phase of the project, following similar findings that the bridge could no longer be rehabilitated.
The new approval significantly scales up the project into full execution, reflecting rising infrastructure costs and the complexity of rebuilding a major urban bridge.
Authorities say implementation timelines and procurement details will be announced as the government moves to commence one of Lagos’ most significant infrastructure overhauls in recent years.