Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, says the Third Mainland Bridge requires urgent rehabilitation or complete reconstruction, with rehabilitation projected to cost ₦3.8 trillion and reconstruction ₦3.6 trillion.
He explained that the bridge has problems with its underwater structures, making repairs unavoidable. Speaking at a recent Federal Executive Council meeting presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, Umahi disclosed that the council also approved ₦493 billion for two major projects — ₦359 billion to rebuild Lagos’ Carter Bridge and ₦134 billion to upgrade the 152 km Kano–Katsina Road.
According to him, the 11.8-kilometre-long Carter Bridge was declared irreparable after structural damage, while the cost of the Kano–Katsina Road rose due to economic factors.
Last week, the Federal Government ordered the closure of the Third Mainland Bridge to heavy-duty vehicles. Umahi added, “Among other emergency jobs you’ve been seeing in Lagos, we are having a very deep conversation on the Third Mainland Bridge and Carter Bridge.”
Earlier this year, the Federal Government had estimated rehabilitation costs for the Third Mainland and Carter bridges at ₦21 billion and ₦25 billion respectively.
