New Carter Bridge greenlit, Eko Bridge to face emergency closure

In a decisive move to safeguard the critical national infrastructure and ensure public safety, the Federal Government of Nigeria has initiated a comprehensive overhaul of key bridges in Lagos.

This includes official handover of the new Carter Bridge construction to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and an urgent directive for the emergency closure of a section of the Eko Bridge due to severe structural damage.

Speaking at the handover ceremony for the Carter Bridge project on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, the Minister of Works, Senator Engr. David Umahi, underscored the necessity of replacing the aging structure.

Investigations dating back to 2013 and 2019, further confirmed by the recent geological, specialist diver assessments, revealed alarming and progressively worsening defects beneath both the Carter Bridge and the 3rd Mainland Bridge.

Umahi vividly described the severity, stating that some supporting piles had shifted from their caps, likening it to “the hip of the leg is cut off.”

After extensive consultations with local and international bridge experts, it was determined that repairing the existing Carter Bridge would be nearly twice as costly as constructing a brand-new one.
In a statement released, the Federal Government, under the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership, approved the construction of a modern bridge, part of which will feature a world-class cable- stayed design.

This innovative design is expected to not only enhance navigational activities but also add significant aesthetic value to Lagos’s skyline.

The N545 billion project, to be completed within 36 months, and will be financed through a combination of the Federal Government funding (30%) and external borrowing (70%).
CCECC was selected after a rigorous technical and commercial bidding process involving seven firms.

Concurrently, the Minister announced an emergency closure of one carriageway of the Eko Bridge, effective midnight, Sunday, May 10, 2026.

This urgent measure follows severe
structural damage caused by illegal sand mining activities, which resulted in a barge striking and breaking several supporting piles and pile caps.
The damage has led to dangerous cracks and structural instability, posing a direct threat to lives while the President has been fully briefed and has directed that the situation be treated as an emergency.

Buildwell Construction, known for its expertise in bridge lifting operations, will undertake the emergency repairs, which involve lifting an entire bridge span to access and mend the damaged sections.

The Minister appealed for public patience and understanding, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to resolving inherited challenges and protecting vital national assets.