Federal Controller of Works, Lagos State, Kehinde Olukorode, has given an assessment of Carter Bridge, declaring that the historic structure has outlived its usefulness and can no longer be relied upon for safe transportation.
Speaking on a television programme, Olukorode, an engineer, said the bridge, one of the three major links between Lagos Island and Mainland, had reached the end of its serviceable life.
“This bridge is one of the oldest in Lagos. It was built before the independence of Nigeria and for many years, there was no intentional programme of maintenance. The honourable minister has been very clear. Carter Bridge is irredeemable. It has now attained its ultimate serviceability state,” she said.
She said while visible repairs were being carried out above the water line, the real danger lied beneath.
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“The government awarded a maintenance contract last year to address what can be seen on the surface. You can see some of the patches already done. But when we went under, we discovered serious structural issues. The honourable minister said it is like a person without legs and you are busy patching the hips. That is the reality with Carter Bridge,” she explained.
According to her, years of neglect, the activities of illegal dredgers and miners, and the reckless parking of heavy-duty trucks on the bridge have worsened its condition.
“Bridges are not designed to carry static loads. They are designed for dynamic loads, which means moving traffic. When you turn a bridge into a truck park, you weaken it. This is part of the challenges we are facing today,” she added.
On the cost of rehabilitation, Olukorode recalled the minister’s position. “The honourable minister has said rehabilitation will cost about three billion naira. If you compare that to the cost of building a new bridge, there is very little difference. This is why government is carefully considering the option of building a new one,” she said.
She revealed that two independent marine engineers had already submitted reports confirming the poor state of the bridge, while a third consultant had been engaged to provide further assessment.
“The honourable minister personally went on the water to see things for himself. He spent hours there, but the tide was too high. He promised to return. The reports before us show clearly that this bridge needs urgent attention,” she said.
Carter Bridge, along with Eko and Third Mainland bridges, has for decades been central to traffic management in Lagos.
Built in the colonial period, it was the first bridge to connect the Mainland to the Island, making it a vital artery for trade, commuting and the city’s growth.
Olukorode assured residents that government would not allow Lagos to be cut off.
“When a new bridge comes, it does not have to follow the same alignment as Carter Bridge. The old structure can still be in use, but at reduced capacity, just as we saw with the Second Niger Bridge. Government is proactive and realistic. The goal is to guarantee safety and also preserve the smooth flow of movement in Lagos,” she said.
With the bridge now weakened by age and overuse, Lagosians are awaiting Federal Government’s final decision on whether Carter Bridge will be replaced or permanently decommissioned.
