The Federal Government has blamed the structural failure of Lagos’ 1.58-kilometre Carter Bridge on detached piles, significant corrosion, years of inadequate maintenance and illegal sand mining, exposing the vulnerabilities of one of the city’s key transport links.
Dave Umahi, Minister of Works, disclosed this on Monday during an inspection of the ongoing reconstruction of the Carter and Iddo Bridges in Lagos.
Umahi said the Carter Bridge, which has served Lagos for about 60 to 70 years, had suffered significant structural deterioration, prompting the Federal Government to commence its reconstruction.
The minister said the government was targeting completion within 24 months, instead of the initially proposed 36 months, given the bridge’s importance to movement across Lagos.
He also said the government would continue maintaining the bridge during the reconstruction to prevent a complete closure that could worsen traffic congestion in the city.
