LAGOS, Nigeria — The Federal Government has indicated that the Carter Bridge in Lagos State may have reached the end of its lifespan, with stakeholders and technical experts aligning on the need for a replacement.
Sen. Dave Umahi, Minister of Works, disclosed this on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, after a detailed inspection of the bridge’s under deck.
He explained that while assessments were still underway, preliminary findings suggested the structure was beyond repair.
“What we did today is to see whether we can salvage the ramps so that we cut down the cost of construction and the time of construction,” Umahi told reporters.
“We need consultants and Berger to put their observations, and we have instruments we use to determine whether the observations are right or wrong. If the observations are as they have sent to us, then, it means that both the ramp and the main axial section of the Carter Bridge will have to go.”
He further noted that remnants of the previous Carter Bridge, which was demolished by explosives, remain submerged in the water and must be considered in any future construction to avoid obstructing navigation.
“Whatever we are doing, we have to consider the removal of that so as not to affect our navigational activities,” he added.
Umahi stressed that the Federal Government’s priority was to determine if parts of the bridge could still be salvaged for temporary use while a new alignment is developed.
“The critical decision we have to take is: since it seems that all stakeholders are at peace that a new Carter Bridge should be constructed, is there any way we can salvage and repair something to be in use while we take a different alignment?” he said.
The minister drew a clear distinction between the Carter Bridge and the Third Mainland Bridge, which has also undergone scrutiny due to structural concerns.
“The ministry is not buying the idea of a fresh Third Mainland Bridge; we will do everything possible to do rehabilitation of the bridge,” he said.
The Carter Bridge, one of the oldest bridges linking Lagos Island to the mainland, has long suffered from structural wear, raising safety concerns for commuters.
The outcome of the government’s current assessments will determine whether Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, faces the construction of a new bridge to replace the historic structure.
