THE Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the demolition and complete reconstruction of the Carter Bridge, one of the major transport links connecting Lagos Island to the mainland.
Minister of Works, Eng David Umahi, disclosed the decision on Wednesday while briefing journalists at the State House in Abuja after the FEC meeting presided over by President Bola Tinubu.
According to Umahi, the council also approved the sum of N5.6 billion for the engagement of advanced engineering consultants who will undertake the technical design, structural assessment and cost estimation for the new bridge project.
The minister explained that the decision followed earlier stakeholder consultations and technical evaluations which concluded that the ageing structure can no longer undergo rehabilitation. Instead, experts recommended that the bridge be demolished entirely and replaced with a new structure that meets modern engineering and safety standards.
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“Recall that we have been to FEC and got approval after going through stakeholders’ engagements. The total recommendation was that Carter Bridge can no longer be rehabilitated; it should be demolished and then a new bridge constructed,” Mr Umahi said.
He noted that the reconstruction of the bridge forms part of the Nigerian government’s broader strategy to modernise critical transport infrastructure and address structural deficiencies in key national assets.
Umahi further revealed that the council approved six major infrastructure projects at the meeting, covering highway reconstruction and upgrades across several geopolitical zones. These projects, he said, are part of a coordinated effort by the administration to accelerate road development nationwide.
The minister added that the government is working toward commissioning a number of completed projects across the country in the coming months. According to him, at least four major projects in each geopolitical zone are being prepared for presidential commissioning by May 15.
“We are presenting a minimum of four completed projects in each zone for presidential commissioning by May 15. These are not palliative works; they are major infrastructure projects,” he said.
Implications for Lagos traffic and infrastructure
The planned demolition and rebuilding of the Carter Bridge signals a major infrastructure overhaul in Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial hub, where aging bridges and roads are under increasing pressure from heavy traffic volumes.
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As one of the oldest bridges linking Lagos Island with the mainland, the Carter Bridge plays a critical role in daily commuting and commercial movement within the city. Its reconstruction is expected to improve structural safety, enhance traffic flow and potentially support increased vehicular capacity.
However, the project may also lead to temporary traffic disruptions during the demolition and construction phases, particularly for commuters moving between Lagos Island, Ebute Metta and other mainland districts.
In the long term, the new bridge could strengthen connectivity within the Lagos transport network and support economic activity in the city, where road infrastructure remains central to logistics, trade and urban mobility.
