The federal government has approved the construction of a new Carter Bridge in Lagos State for ₦359 billion, and ₦134 billion for the upgrade of the 152-kilometre Kano–Katsina Road.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC), led by President Bola Tinubu, has allocated ₦493 billion for two significant infrastructure initiatives: enhancing the 152-kilometre Kano–Katsina Road and building a new Carter Bridge in Lagos State.
Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced to State House Correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, that major adjustments to the budget for the Kano–Katsina Road have been implemented in response to current economic challenges. He noted that the previous administration had originally split the road project into two separate sections.
He said, “Section One, covering 74.1 kilometres, was initially awarded in 2013 at ₦14 billion and revised to ₦24 billion. It has now been updated to ₦68 billion. Section Two, spanning 79.5 kilometres and awarded in 2019 for ₦29 billion before increasing to ₦46 billion, has been further adjusted to ₦66.115 billion.”
The total cost for the two segments is now estimated to be around ₦134 billion. Section One is set to receive ₦6 billion from the 2024 budget and ₦34 billion from the 2025 budget. Meanwhile, Section Two is allocated ₦80 billion over these two years.
Regarding the Carter Bridge, Umahi provided a thorough account of the underwater evaluations carried out in 2013 and 2019. These assessments uncovered significant damage to the bridge’s substructure, which was attributed to unlawful sand mining, erosion, and corrosion impacting the piles and piers.
According Umahi Julius Berger, the contractor handling the underwater and structural repairs, informed that the bridge is irreparably damaged and has suggested that it should be entirely rebuilt.
He said, “The cost of constructing a new Carter Bridge is estimated at about ₦359 billion, and discussions have been initiated with Deutsche Bank regarding potential funding.”
The Federal Executive Council approved the hiring of at least seven specialized contractors under an EPC+F (Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing) model. These contractors will perform thorough investigations, create designs, and handle bidding for either the renovation or new construction of both the Carter and 3rd Mainland Bridges.
The Council also approved the promotion of public-private partnership (PPP) proposals for these projects.
Minister Umahi also highlighted additional bridge projects that have been approved by the Federal Executive Council (FEC). These projects include the Jalingo Bridge in Taraba State, the Ido Bridge, which caught fire and necessitates the removal of three spans, the Keffi Flyover in Nasarawa State, the Mokwa Bridge in Niger State, a bridge that sustained damage on the Abuja-Kogi route, bridges along the Lagos-Ibadan corridor impacted by vehicular collisions, the Jebba Bridge in Kwara State, and the Itokin–Ikorodu Bridge in Lagos.
“These emergency works will be articulated and forwarded to Mr President for approval through the Minister of Finance,” Umahi added.