The Federal Government will shut one carriageway of the Eko Bridge in Lagos from Sunday night to begin emergency structural repairs on the affected section of the bridge.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, disclosed this on Wednesday during the site handover of the Carter Bridge to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), according to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The closure forms part of plans by the government to carry out urgent rehabilitation works on damaged portions of the bridge, including replacing weakened structural supports and reinforcing affected sections.
While one carriageway will remain open to traffic, the Federal Government said the damaged section would be completely shut to prevent further risk to motorists and allow engineers to carry out extensive repairs.
What they are saying
Umahi said the damaged carriageway would be fully closed by midnight on Sunday, while traffic would continue on the remaining section of the bridge.
He added that officials of the Federal Ministry of Works had been directed to collaborate with the Lagos State Government on public awareness campaigns and alternative traffic routes ahead of the closure.
- “By the midnight of this coming Sunday, that full carriageway must be closed. The other carriageway will be working.”
- “I am directing the director of bridges and the controller of works in Lagos to liaise with Lagos State Government and mount a campaign of awareness and see if we can get an alternative route.”
- “We will not allow people to endanger their lives. We are responsible administration, and it is a problem not caused by us but a challenge before us.”
The minister explained that the government planned to lift an entire span of the affected section to expose the pier and pier cap for proper structural repairs, including additional piling, reinforcement works, and replacement of damaged piles beneath the bridge.
More insights
Providing further information, Umahi noted that Buildwell Construction Company and professional divers would conduct a detailed investigation to determine the full extent of the structural damage before the final repair design is completed.
He directed that the investigation should be concluded within 10 days to enable the government to proceed with the next phase of rehabilitation works.
- Umahi apologised to Lagos residents over the expected traffic disruption during the repair period.
- He said parts of the bridge had previously suffered severe fire damage caused by traders storing chemicals and other goods beneath the structure.
- The minister noted that rehabilitation works on the bridge had been awarded before the current administration came into office, but were delayed due to funding challenges.
- He added that President Bola Tinubu later approved renewed funding support for the project.
Umahi also disclosed that the Federal Government was planning rehabilitation works on the Third Mainland Bridge following concerns over deteriorating structural components and ongoing investigations into affected piers and pier caps.
What you should know
Eko Bridge has undergone multiple rehabilitation works in recent years due to structural concerns and fire-related damage. Previous repair exercises have led to partial closures and traffic diversions across Lagos, reflecting the strategic importance of the bridge to movement within the state.
- In March 2022, the Lagos State Government partially closed the bridge for six months following repair works announced by the Federal Ministry of Works.
- The bridge had earlier reopened in August 2021 after a 10-week rehabilitation exercise.
- In October 2023, Umahi disclosed that repairs on the bridge would require imported equipment valued at about 1.2 million Euros.
- Parts of the bridge were also damaged by fire incidents linked to illegal trading activities beneath the structure.
The repeated rehabilitation efforts highlight ongoing concerns about the structural integrity and long-term sustainability of one of Lagos’ busiest transport links.
