If you live in Lagos, you already know the Third Mainland Bridge (3MB for those who are given to abbreviations) is not just another stretch of concrete and steel; it is the city’s heartbeat. Every day, it carries a relentless stream of cars, buses, and trucks across the Lagos Lagoon, linking the bustling Mainland to the business-heavy Island.

But behind its familiar skyline view lies a story that keeps repeating itself: closures, diversions, and maintenance works that test the patience of everyone who depends on it.

What was once celebrated as a marvel of modern engineering in 1990 has now become a constant subject of inspection. For months at a time, drivers have endured detours and soul-crushing traffic jams while engineers worked on resurfacing and patching weak spots. Driving through the bridge gives bright shining lights, and the fresh paint may give it a newer look, but the latest inspection shows the real problem runs far deeper than cosmetics.

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Today, Nigeria’s Minister of Works, David Umahi, revealed that structural assessments, including underwater checks, have found extensive damage to the bridge’s piles and piers, caused by years of illegal sand mining, erosion, and corrosion. The findings are alarming: rehabilitation would cost a staggering ₦3.8 trillion, while a full rebuild would be slightly less at ₦3.6 trillion.

According to Umahi, the Federal Executive Council has already approved the engagement of at least seven specialist contractors to conduct detailed designs and bids for both rehabilitation and potential reconstruction under an EPC+F (Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing) arrangement. This means private partners will be involved to help finance and execute the massive project, thus reducing dependence on the federal budget.

The Third Mainland Bridge is not the only structure in trouble. Similar inspections on the Carter Bridge have led to recommendations for a full replacement at a projected cost of ₦359 billion. Other damaged bridges, from Jalingo in Taraba to Mokwa in Niger State, are also set for emergency interventions.

But Lagos, with its population pushing 20 million, feels the impact more than anywhere else. When the Third Mainland Bridge closes, the city’s road network buckles. Commuters who normally make a 25-minute trip can find themselves sitting bottom tight through traffic for three hours or more, especially when the only viable alternative is the CMS route or the Eko Bridge.

The government is weighing its options, but whatever the decision, full rebuild or deep rehabilitation, it will come with years of phased construction, periodic closures, and inevitable disruption. Umahi has hinted that timelines will depend on how quickly financing agreements are signed with international lenders like Deutsche Bank and potential local investors.
For now, the bridge remains open, but the message from the Ministry of Works is clear: this is not a problem that can be delayed any further. Whether through massive repairs or a completely new structure, the Third Mainland Bridge is headed for one of the most expensive infrastructure undertakings in Nigeria’s history.

Cynthia Nwanonyiri