First in Hokkaido! Do-O Expressway Wattsu Smart Interchange Opens

~The convenience and comfort of using Expressway will become more familiar~

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  • First in Hokkaido! Hokkaido Expressway Waatsu Smart IC opens

May 28, 2009
East Nippon Expressway Co., Ltd.
Hokkaido Regional Head Office

NEXCO EAST Hokkaido Regional Head Office (Sapporo City Atsubetsu-ku, Regional Head Office President: Yuki Yamamoto) will start the operation of the Do-O Expressway Waatsu Smart Interchange (IC).

The Waatsu Smart IC is planned to be based on discussions and adjustments at the Watsu Smart IC District Council (Chairman: Kitahiroshima City Mayor Shozo Ueno), and is the first in Hokkaido that NEXCO EAST and related organizations have been cooperating to develop. This is a temporary stop type ETC interchange.

This will make access to the Expressway even more convenient from the center of Kitahiroshima City.

1 Opening date

Monday, June 29, 2009 13:00

2 Smart IC installation location

Do-O Expressway Eniwa IC and Kitahiroshima IC
Waatsu Parking Area (Hokkaido, Kitahiroshima City, Watatsu)

3 available time

From 6:00 to 22:00

4 Available models

All vehicles with ETC on-board unit (extension 12.0m or less)

5 Opening ceremony

From 10:00 on June 29, 2009 (Mon), it will be held near the entrance of Waatsu Smart IC Sapporo direction.
(Ceremony sponsored: Kitahiroshima City, NEXCO EAST Hokkaido Regional Head Office)

Doo Do: Waatsu Smart IC, ETC-dedicated temporary stop type image

【how to access】

Access: Image image of wheel thickness parking area
Access: Image of Waatsu Smart IC

[Main expected effects]

Expected effects: Image of improved convenience, local industry activation support, emergency medical support, tourism activation support
  • Improved convenience
    Access time from Kitahiroshima city to central Sapporo will be shortened by about 5 minutes and New Chitose Airport will be shortened by about 10 minutes.
  • Local industry activation support
    Kitahiroshima City is in the process of planning a new industrial park, and it is expected that the improvement of access will improve the efficiency of logistics and promote the establishment of companies.
  • Emergency medical support
    We support emergency medical care by improving the speed and safety of emergency transportation to the suburbs.
  • Tourism activation support
    It is expected that the area will be activated by improving access to recreation facilities.
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