The Federal Government has declared that the Carter Bridge in Lagos is in a critical state and cannot be salvaged, describing the structure as “irredeemable.”

 

 

 

Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, stated this during a comprehensive inspection of the bridge’s underdeck in Lagos on Wednesday, September 1.

 

 

 

 

“What we did today was to see whether we could salvage the ramps, to cut down the cost and time of construction,” Umahi said. “That decision, we could not take. We need consultants and Julius Berger to put forward their observations, and we have instruments to determine whether those observations are right or wrong. If they are correct, then it means both the ramp and the main axial section of the Carter Bridge will have to go.”

 

 

 

 

Umahi recalled that the previous Carter Bridge was demolished with explosives and its remnants remain in the water, stressing that any new work must also consider navigational activities.

 

 

 

The minister explained that the government is weighing whether anything can still be salvaged while a new alignment for the bridge is pursued.

 

 

 

“The critical decision we have to take is: since it seems all stakeholders agree that a new Carter Bridge should be constructed, is there any way we can repair and keep something in use while we develop a different alignment?” Umahi said.

 

 

 

He, however, clarified that the Federal Government is not considering demolishing the Third Mainland Bridge.

 

 

 

“The ministry is not buying the idea of a fresh Third Mainland Bridge. We will do everything possible to rehabilitate and maintain the existing one,” he added.