The Federal Government is evaluating the reinstatement of weighbridges on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway to track the mass of trucks and articulated vehicles, according to Punch. Olufemi Dare, the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos, revealed this strategy on Tuesday during a joint briefing with Oluwaseun Osiyemi, the Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation. The discussion followed a tanker blaze at Otedola Bridge on Monday, which Dare identified as a primary trigger for reviewing safety protocols on this busy corridor.
Dare explained that a formal proposal would reach Minister of Works Dave Umahi within seven days to integrate weighbridges into plans for upgrading the expressway with continuously reinforced concrete pavement. He argued that these installations would enhance safety and prompt more frequent inspections of braking systems. The Federal Ministry of Works also intends to run a thorough structural assessment of Otedola Bridge after the incident, where a heavy tanker reportedly reversed and dropped beneath the structure after hitting another vehicle.
Osiyemi backed the idea, observing that certain trucks on the highway were either carrying excess load or poorly suited for the journey. He stressed that the corridor demands tighter coordination between Lagos and Ogun states to manage traffic flows effectively. Both officials agreed that a broader consultation would take place in mid-November, bringing together transportation and police commissioners from both states, security agencies, traditional rulers, and drivers to tackle issues like unregulated parking and other accident causes.
The officials linked many crashes on the expressway to careless driving, neglected vehicle upkeep, and the loss of public fixtures. Dare pointed out that over 100 solar lamps had vanished from the expressway, while guardrails and other features were also impacted. Osiyemi added that the Lagos State Government had launched its ember-month safety drive and sent extra staff to the streets. He reassured drivers that the bridge remained safe pending the structural review, and urged motorists to favor steady travel over rushing to lower the chance of deadly collisions on the route.