The Federal Government, in collaboration with construction giant Julius Berger, has unveiled plans to address structural deflection concerns on Lagos’ iconic Third Mainland Bridge through a comprehensive design review in Germany.
The initiative aims to develop and implement engineering solutions to tackle the ongoing deflection issues—specifically abnormal slab sagging—that have led to the restriction of articulated vehicles on the bridge.
As part of this effort, four engineers from the Federal Ministry of Works will travel to Germany to work alongside Julius Berger’s technical team in reviewing a newly proposed bridge design.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, during an inspection of the bridge on Saturday, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Umahi explained that the visit to Germany will allow both parties to thoroughly evaluate the proposed structural improvements and determine the feasibility of restoring the bridge’s full functionality.
“The slab on the Third Mainland Bridge has deflected, necessitating the closure to articulated vehicles. Julius Berger has developed a new design solution and requested that ministry engineers join their team in Germany for an in-depth review,” Umahi stated.
Urgency and Broader Infrastructure Concerns
The Minister emphasized the urgent need to complete rehabilitation efforts on the Third Mainland Bridge to avert further disruptions in traffic flow. As one of Lagos’ most vital transport corridors connecting the island to the mainland, the bridge plays a key role in the movement of people and goods across the city.
In addition to the Third Mainland Bridge, the Federal Government is also tackling other critical infrastructure issues across Lagos. Umahi provided updates on the Eko Bridge emergency, caused by damage from a dredger. He assured the public that appropriate safety measures are underway in collaboration with top engineering firms to ensure speedy resolution.
Project Coordinator for Build Well Construction, Ghassan Kaadi, noted that the Eko Bridge rehabilitation is currently 75% complete, with ongoing work on expansion joints and solar lighting.
Meanwhile, Thomas Christ, Regional Manager at Julius Berger, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to addressing structural issues across multiple bridges in Lagos, including the Carter Bridge, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Works.
