Julius Berger intensifies rehabilitation of Lagos bridges amid structural concerns

By Adebayo Obajemu

Engineering giant Julius Berger Nigeria Plc is undertaking a major rehabilitation programme on key bridges in Lagos following its engagement by the Federal Ministry of Works in 2023 to address years of structural deterioration affecting critical transport infrastructure.

The rehabilitation works, which commenced in January 2024, cover four major transport corridors: the Third Mainland Bridge, Carter Bridge, Iddo Bridge, and the Iddo Bridge Underpass.

The projects are aimed at repairing long-standing structural damage, especially in underwater sections affected by marine corrosion, tidal activities and years of heavy vehicular traffic.

At the Carter Bridge, rehabilitation efforts focused on deteriorated underwater components and substructure elements impacted by corrosion and tidal movement. Physical construction works on the bridge were completed in January, while the project has moved into its close-out phase.

On the Third Mainland Bridge, engineers are carrying out repairs on critical structural components including the deck soffit, piers and underwater pile caps. The project has attained about 80 per cent physical completion, with the remaining phase centred on structural monitoring and performance evaluation.

The monitoring stage, which is expected to last for one year, is currently in its third month. Financially, about 60 per cent of the allocated budget has been committed, while 21 per cent of the total project value has so far been executed.

A member of the project team, identified simply as Friday, disclosed last week that no major construction work remains on the bridge, as attention has shifted entirely to validating the effectiveness and durability of the rehabilitation works.

According to him, the monitoring phase serves as a critical quality assurance and risk management process to ensure the bridge remains stable, safe and durable for long-term use.

The rehabilitation work on the Iddo Bridge is more extensive due to the severe state of deterioration observed on the structure. Large portions of the bridge have been demolished and are being reconstructed with reinforced concrete girders, upgraded reinforcement systems and stronger structural supports. The project is currently about 30 per cent complete.

At the Iddo Bridge Underpass, the existing structure was fully removed to pave the way for complete reconstruction. The project scope includes the installation of continuous reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP), upgraded drainage systems, modern street lighting and utility infrastructure. Construction progress at the underpass has reached 38 per cent.

Engineers explained that CRCP technology is designed to manage and control cracking rather than eliminate it entirely, with reinforcement systems helping to keep cracks narrow and prevent structural widening over time.

The ongoing rehabilitation projects are expected to improve commuter safety, extend the lifespan of critical transport infrastructure and reduce structural risks along some of Lagos State’s busiest routes.

The upgrades are also projected to improve traffic flow and support economic activities across the state by enhancing the efficiency and reliability of major transportation links.