Carter Bridge

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Carter Bridge
Carries Vehicular traffic
Crosses Lagos Lagoon
Locale Lagos, Nigeria
Toll No
Maps and aerial photos

The Carter Bridge is one of three bridges connecting Lagos Island, Lagos, Nigeria to the mainland, the other two being the Third Mainland and Eko bridges. The bridge is named in honor of former United States President Jimmy Carter.[1] At the time of its construction, this was the only bridge connection between the mainland and Lagos Island.[2] The bridge starts from Iddo on the mainland and ends at the Idumota area of Lagos Island.[1]

The Carter Bridge was originally constructed by the British colonial government, prior to Nigerian independence in 1960.[3] After independence, the bridge was dismantled, redesigned and rebuilt during the late 1970s.[3] The Alaka-Ijora flyover, on the Iddo end of the span was completed in 1973.[3]

The parking of vehicles on the bridge has resulted in both severe road congestion in addition to contributing to its rapid deterioration.[4] In 2003, the Nigerian Institute of Structural Engineers noted that the parking of vehicles along the span may result in collapse if left unaddressed.[3] To address this issue, the Lagos State government has instituted a ₦ 50,000 fine for persons parking their vehicles along the span.[4] Additionally, in April 2006, the Lagos State Transport Commissioner announced that all commercial vehicles would be banned from entering Lagos Island by way of the Carter Bridge to keep buses and other vehicles from parking on the bridge.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Adeniran, Rex Ade. "Lagos Bridges: Another Disaster Waiting to Happen", This Day (Nigeria), April 23, 2003. 
  2. ^ Oyelaran-Oyeyinka, Rosamund Naduvi Ibiyemi. Governance and Bureaucracy: Leadership in Nigeria's Public Service. Retrieved on 2008-05-04.
  3. ^ a b c d Structural engineer says Carter bridge may collapse. The Daily Trust (March 21, 2003). Retrieved on 2008-05-04.
  4. ^ a b "AAGM: Waiting for Tragedy?", This Day (Nigeria), October 30, 2006. 
  5. ^ Agbo, Malachy. "AAGM: Lagos Bars Molues From Idumota", This Day (Nigeria), April 29, 2006.