FG to Demolish Lagos Carter Bridge, Plans New Replacement

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced plans to demolish the historic Carter Bridge, which links Iddo on the mainland to Idumota and CMS on Lagos Island. According to the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, the century-old bridge has been declared beyond repair following reports by engineers and consultants, including Julius Berger Plc.

Umahi made this known on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, during an inspection of the bridge’s underdeck in Lagos.

“What we did today is to see whether we can salvage the ramps so that we 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 stated.

Built in 1901 as the first bridge connecting Lagos Island to the mainland, Carter Bridge has undergone several reconstructions but remains a vital artery for millions of commuters and traders.

The minister noted that while the Federal Government will conduct its own verification using in-house instruments, stakeholders agree that a completely new bridge is the safest and most sustainable option.

Umahi also recalled that remnants of the original Carter Bridge, demolished with explosives decades ago, still obstruct navigational activities in the Lagos lagoon.

“Any new work must take into account the removal of those remains to prevent disruptions to navigation,” he added.

Discussions are still ongoing to determine if any components of the current structure can be preserved, but Umahi stressed that safety and long-term reliability will ultimately guide the final decision.

The move signals the end of an era for one of Lagos’s most iconic structures while ushering in a new phase of infrastructure renewal for Nigeria’s commercial capital.