FG Mulls Reconstructing Carter Bridge As Umahi Inspects Underground Pile Caps, Piers

 

OLORUNDARE ENIMOLA, Lagos 

Senator David Umahi, the Minister of Works and Housing has hinted on the possibility of reconstructing the Carter bridge after inspecting the underground pi-caps, piers and deck on Wednesday to ascertain if they can salvage the ramps in order to cut down on the cost and time of reconstructing a new Carter bridge.

The Minister made the declaration after inspections of the structures under the bridge in company of Engr. Olukorede Keisha, the Lagos State Controller of Works in the Ministry and expatriates from Julius Berger and Hitech Construction Company, saying, the consultants and Julius Berger Construction Company has to put the observation from the inspection to further test, using relevant instruments available to determine whether the findings are right or wrong.

Explaining that if the outcome of the observations are as they have been sent earlier, it will mean both the ramp and the upper section of the Bridge will have to go.

In his words, "Julius Berger is currently rehabilitating the pi-caps, piers and underwear decks both for Carter and Third Mainland Bridges, with the aim to salvage these structures for the reconstruction of the upper deck, however, we are subjecting what have been done to another test, so we can be sure if we can salvage the ramps for the construction of the new Carter bridge, but the Third Mainland bridge is not presently considered for reconstruction.

"Moreso, Julius Berger would write their investigative report on each of the pi-caps for the two bridges, the situation of Carter Bridge appears so critical and it seems all stakeholders have agreed that it is survivable, so our inspection visit here today is to see whether we can salvage the ramps so that we cut down the cost and construction time." He said.

Adding that the result will undergo other tests for confirmation of other engineering consultants, to ascertain if their observations are as what has been received by his Ministry, to inform on the decision of removing both the ramp and the main section of the Carter bridge for the new bridge.

Speaking further, "We are also aware that the previous Carter Bridge was demolished by explosive and it is still within the water, so whatever we are doing, we have to consider removal of the debris so it will not affect our navigational activities."

He also said the final decision to either use the present ramps and underwater structures with a different alignment or the demolition of all the existing structures will be decided in his return visit to Lagos, but in the meantime, he has advertised for public engagement, for experts to let the government have technical information, design, and idea of reconstructing the Carter bridge.

He emphasised that the decision of all stakeholders is that Carter bridge be done away with, but for specific details regarding the future of the bridge, Senator Umahi said, it will wait till he comes back to re-examine the

previous underwater investigation carried out.

Umahi also hinted on the plan to join the Lagos-Calabar coastal road with the Sokoto-Badagry expressway through a 2.9 kilometre underwater channel, which is going to be the first of its kind in Africa.