The Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi, has sounded a critical warning about the structural integrity of Nigeria’s iconic 3rd Mainland Bridge, revealing that underwater inspections have uncovered severe damage to its substructure. The findings, which emerged from recent engineering assessments, indicate that urgent and large-scale rehabilitation is required to prevent potential catastrophic failure.
Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Umahi disclosed that the cost of fully restoring the bridge’s underwater piers, bearings, and supporting elements has been estimated at a staggering ₦3.6 trillion. This figure, according to the minister, reflects both the high level of technical work required and the increasing costs of construction materials in the current economic climate.
“This is not about surface repairs anymore,” Umahi emphasized. “The underwater structures — the very foundation of the bridge — have shown signs of wear, corrosion, and material degradation due to decades of tidal impact, saltwater intrusion, and heavy traffic load. If we do not act decisively now, the consequences could be unthinkable.”
The minister explained that the bridge, commissioned in 1990 and spanning approximately 11.8 kilometers, has been a vital transport artery linking Lagos Island to the mainland. However, with an average daily traffic count exceeding 100,000 vehicles, the load and vibration stress have accelerated deterioration far faster than projected in its original design lifespan.
Umahi further revealed that advanced sonar scans and divers’ inspections showed pitting, cracking, and severe reinforcement corrosion in some of the submerged pillars. He added that while the bridge remains open to traffic for now, a phased closure and diversion plan will soon be implemented to allow for safe rehabilitation without total disruption to Lagos traffic.
The proposed ₦3.6 trillion rehabilitation budget will cover underwater concrete jacket repairs, steel reinforcement replacement, anti-corrosion treatments, bearing upgrades, and new vibration dampers. In addition, the government plans to install a real-time structural health monitoring system to prevent future surprises.
The Federal Ministry of Works has already engaged with both local and international engineering firms, with early discussions indicating that rehabilitation could take between 24 to 36 months once funding is secured. Umahi hinted that a combination of federal allocation, public-private partnership (PPP) investments, and infrastructure bonds could be used to finance the massive project.
Commuters and residents of Lagos have expressed mixed feelings about the announcement — relief that the problem has been detected in time, but concern over the inevitable traffic disruptions during repair works. Transport experts warn that alternative routes like the Eko and Carter bridges will likely face unprecedented congestion unless traffic management strategies are implemented early.
The Lagos State Government, in response, has pledged to work closely with the Federal Government to coordinate road diversions, improve ferry services, and expand public transportation options during the rehabilitation period.
The 3rd Mainland Bridge, one of the longest bridges in Africa, has undergone periodic maintenance over the years, but this marks the first time authorities have publicly acknowledged major structural damage beneath the waterline.
With the price tag set at trillions, the scale of this rehabilitation project will make it one of the most expensive infrastructure repairs in Nigeria’s history — and all eyes will be on how swiftly the government can mobilize resources to safeguard the lives of millions who depend on the bridge daily.
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