• Federal Government announced plans to shut one carriageway of Eko Bridge from Sunday midnight
• The emergency structural repairs target damaged sections of the bridge
• The Minister of Works, David Umahi says closure is necessary to protect motorists’ lives

The Federal Government has announced the closure of one carriageway of the Eko Bridge in Lagos beginning Sunday night to allow emergency structural repairs on the damaged section of the bridge.

The Minister of Works, David Umahi, made the disclosure on Wednesday, May 6, during the handover of the Carter Bridge rehabilitation project to China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

The planned closure is part of urgent efforts to rehabilitate weakened sections of the bridge, including replacing damaged structural supports and reinforcing compromised areas.

Although one side of the bridge will remain accessible to motorists, the affected carriageway will be completely shut down to enable engineers carry out extensive repair works safely.

Umahi stated that the closure would take effect by midnight on Sunday, while traffic movement would continue on the unaffected section of the bridge.

“By the midnight of this coming Sunday, that full carriageway must be closed. The other carriageway will be working.”

The minister also directed officials of the Federal Ministry of Works to work closely with the Lagos State Government to intensify public awareness campaigns and identify alternative traffic routes ahead of the closure.

“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.”

Umahi explained that engineers intend to lift an entire span of the bridge to expose the pier and pier cap for comprehensive structural rehabilitation.

The repairs will include reinforcement works, additional piling, and replacement of damaged piles beneath the bridge.

He further disclosed that Buildwell Construction Company, alongside professional divers, would conduct a detailed structural assessment to determine the full extent of the damage before the final repair design is approved.

According to the minister, the investigation is expected to be completed within 10 days to pave the way for the next phase of rehabilitation.

Umahi apologised to Lagos residents over the traffic disruptions expected during the repair period, noting that previous fire outbreaks caused by traders storing chemicals and goods beneath the bridge had contributed significantly to the deterioration of some sections.

He added that rehabilitation works on the bridge had been awarded before the current administration assumed office but suffered delays due to funding constraints.

However, President Bola Tinubu later approved additional funding for the project.

The minister also revealed that the Federal Government is preparing for rehabilitation works on the Third Mainland Bridge amid concerns over weakening structural components and ongoing investigations involving damaged piers and pier caps.

Eko Bridge has undergone several rehabilitation exercises in recent years following repeated structural concerns and fire incidents linked to illegal trading activities beneath the bridge.

In March 2022, the Lagos State Government partially shut the bridge for six months after the Federal Ministry of Works announced repair works. Earlier, the bridge reopened in August 2021 following a 10-week rehabilitation exercise.

In October 2023, Umahi disclosed that repairs on the bridge would require imported equipment worth about 1.2 million Euros.

The recurring repair works continue to raise concerns over the long-term structural stability of one of Lagos’ busiest and most strategic transport routes.

Lagos announces major traffic diversions for project commissioning events

Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that the Lagos State Government announced traffic diversions and partial road closures across major parts of the state ahead of key project commissioning events scheduled for Wednesday, April 8, and Thursday, April 9.

The Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, explained that the measures were aimed at ensuring safety and the smooth execution of the ceremonies.

Motorists were urged to plan their journeys carefully and avoid affected routes during the specified hours to minimise delays and traffic congestion.