The Lagos State Government has impounded over 10 articulated trucks for flouting access restrictions on the Third Mainland Bridge, which prohibits heavy-duty vehicles from using the structure.
In a statement released on Sunday by Adebayo Taofiq, Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the enforcement operation began over the weekend following months of public sensitisation.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa, said the crackdown aligns with the state’s commitment to public safety, infrastructure preservation, and traffic regulation enforcement.
“The Third Mainland Bridge is categorically excluded from the list of permissible routes for certain articulated vehicles,” Giwa said. “This restriction is backed by law, and violations will face decisive sanctions.”
He explained that the restriction applies to articulated trucks above nine tonnes, especially after recent major rehabilitation works on the bridge. The measure follows extensive stakeholder engagement and formal advisories.
To strengthen enforcement, the state has also deployed advanced surveillance technology to monitor violations. Giwa said this forms part of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s broader strategy to promote road safety, prevent structural damage, and encourage responsible driving on high-risk routes.
“The movement of heavy vehicles on selected bridges—particularly during peak hours—remains strictly prohibited,” he reiterated.
Giwa emphasized that the enforcement is not punitive but necessary to preserve public infrastructure and ease traffic congestion.
“The period of indulgence is over,” he warned. “Any truck operator found violating this rule will have their vehicle impounded and sanctioned according to the law.”