Third Mainland Bridge Rehabilitation Cost N43bn – Umahi Confirms

The Federal Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, has revealed that the comprehensive rehabilitation of the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos State amounted to a total of N43 billion. Additionally, the establishment of the bridge’s state-of-the-art Closed-Circuit Television (CCTV) monitoring centre was carried out at a cost of approximately N2.5 billion.

Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Monday, Umahi provided detailed insights into the scope of the project. He noted that the rehabilitation covered the bridge’s entire 14-kilometre length, with a width of 14 metres and two carriageways, ensuring that the structure meets modern safety and operational standards.

“The rehabilitation project also included rebuilding and repainting certain concrete sections, replacing the expansion joints, and installing solar-powered streetlights along the bridge,” Umahi explained.

He clarified that the CCTV centre was part of the overall Third Mainland Bridge rehabilitation contract. “The total contract sum for the bridge’s rehabilitation is N43 billion, while the cost of the CCTV monitoring centre is not more than N2.5 billion,” he said, stressing that contrary to reports circulating in some media outlets, the CCTV centre did not cost N40 billion.

Umahi, who inaugurated the CCTV facility on Sunday, reflected on the condition of the bridge when the current administration assumed office in 2023. He noted that the Third Mainland Bridge, along with Carter Bridge and Iddo Bridge, was in a dire state, with significant deterioration affecting both the surface and underlying infrastructure.

“When we took office, the bridges were in a very poor condition. This included the pavement, the surface, and even the infrastructure beneath the water. The President, therefore, directed a full re-evaluation and total rehabilitation, including replacing the expansion joints,” Umahi said.

The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Mr. Olufemi Dare, described the new CCTV centre as the first of its kind in Nigeria. He highlighted the advanced features installed to enhance surveillance and security.

“The facility is equipped with a patrol boat for bridge monitoring, two Hilux vans, and 240 solar panels. The centre is fully air-conditioned and houses 10 inverters, a 300KVA transformer, a standby generating plant, and multiple monitoring screens for effective surveillance,” Dare detailed.

With these upgrades, both the Third Mainland Bridge and its monitoring systems now reflect a modern approach to infrastructure maintenance and security, setting a benchmark for future projects across Nigeria.

For more updates on infrastructure projects in Lagos State, you can also read about the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway Expansion and other federal works in the region.