FG budgets fresh N3trn for third mainland bridge repairs

The federal government has unveiled plans for a massive upgrade of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos, following the N21 billion spent on emergency repairs late last year.

Dave Umahi, the minister of works, on Thursday said the government has allocated a fresh N3.8 trillion to tackle deep structural issues threatening the bridge’s viability.

Speaking after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja, Umahi said underwater and structural assessments of the bridge revealed severe damage caused by illegal sand mining, erosion, and corrosion to its piles and piers.

“The rehabilitation is estimated at N3.8 trillion, while a complete rebuild would cost about N3.6 trillion,” the minister said. “We have approval for at least seven specialist contractors to carry out detailed investigations, designs and bids for both rehabilitation and new construction under an EPC+F [Engineering, Procurement, Construction and Financing] arrangement.”

The minister said the findings were similar to those from earlier studies on the Carter Bridge, also in Lagos, which was found to be beyond repair. Umahi said contractor Julius Berger had recommended its full replacement, estimated to cost N359 billion.

Under the approvals granted by the FEC, the government will advertise for public-private partnership bids to undertake the projects, while exploring funding discussions with international lenders, including Deutsche Bank.

In November 2023, the FG, in conjunction with the Lagos State Government, launched a ₦21.074 billion emergency repair of the Third Mainland Bridge. 

The intervention involved resurfacing works, replacement of expansion joints and guardrails, application of fresh asphalt, installation of solar-powered street lighting, and lane markings. Minister Umahi explained the expanded scope was necessary to restore the bridge’s integrity, as previous overlay layers of asphalt had added excessive dead load.

The Third Mainland Bridge, inaugurated in 1990, is Nigeria’s longest bridge and a critical transport link for Lagos’ estimated 20 million residents.