The Federal Government has announced plans to demolish the iconic 124-year-old Carter Bridge in Lagos, following expert assessments that deemed the structure structurally unfit and beyond repair.

 

Minister of Works, David Umahi, made the disclosure during an inspection tour of the bridge’s underdeck, revealing that technical reports from construction giant Julius Berger Plc and other engineering consultants confirmed significant integrity failures in both the main axial section and ramps of the bridge.

 

“What we did today was to see whether we can salvage the ramps so that we can cut down the cost of construction and the time of construction. But if the observations sent to us are correct, it means that both the ramp and the main axial section of the Carter Bridge will have to go,” Umahi said.

Originally commissioned in 1901, the Carter Bridge was the first structure connecting Lagos Island to the mainland, a pioneering development that transformed transport and commerce in colonial Lagos. It was named after Sir Gilbert Thomas Carter, then Governor of the Lagos Colony.

 

Initially constructed from timber, the bridge was later rebuilt with concrete and steel to support the city’s rapid growth. Despite several renovations over the decades, the bridge remains a critical transportation artery, used daily by millions of commuters, commercial drivers, and traders.

 

Today, it stands alongside the Eko Bridge and Third Mainland Bridge as one of the three major crossings linking the island and mainland in Nigeria’s busiest city.

Minister Umahi stressed that although the government will conduct independent verifications of the structural reports, there is a broad consensus among stakeholders that Carter Bridge has reached the end of its service life and requires urgent replacement.

 

“We must prioritize safety. The decision will be based on what is structurally and environmentally sustainable over the long term,” he said.

 

He also revealed that remnants of the original wooden bridge, which was demolished with explosives decades ago, continue to obstruct water navigation beneath the bridge and will need to be cleared before any new construction begins.

While the government is exploring whether any parts of the current bridge can be preserved for historical or practical purposes, Umahi made it clear that public safety and infrastructure integrity will remain the top priority.

 

“Ongoing discussions will determine if any component of the current bridge can be preserved, but safety and long-term sustainability will guide the final decision,” he noted.

The announcement has sparked mixed reactions among Lagos residents, with some expressing nostalgia for a historic landmark, while others welcome the development as a long-overdue step toward modernising the city’s transport network.

 

Details of the new bridge design, funding model, and construction timeline are expected to be made public after final technical evaluations and stakeholder consultations are concluded.

 

For now, the Carter Bridge—once a symbol of colonial-era innovation and urban expansion—appears set to make way for a next-generation infrastructure solution to meet the demands of modern Lagos.