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NEXCO EAST Hokkaido Regional Head Office (Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo) has designated the period from Monday, October 16, 2023 to Tuesday, April 30 2024 as the "Snow and Ice Countermeasures Period" and will be working around the clock to monitor weather and road conditions and take measures against snow and ice in an effort to ensure safe transportation.
Prior to the start of the snow and ice countermeasures period, Snow and Ice Countermeasures Departure Ceremonies (Safety Prayer Ceremonies) will be held at five management offices across Hokkaido as detailed below to pray for traffic safety on Expressway during the winter and for the successful completion of snow and ice countermeasure work (open to the press).
We ask that our customers please put on winter tires and other winter equipment early, and also understand and cooperate with work to combat snow and ice.

1. 1. Date and time of the snow and ice countermeasures departure ceremony (safety prayer festival)

• In case of rain, it will be done in the garage.

• If you would like to be interviewed, please contact each management office by the day before the interview date.
  On the day of the event, please come to the reception desk at the venue's management office at least 10 minutes before the start time.

2. Traffic accident and snowfall

On Hokkaido's Expressway, the number of traffic accidents caused by steering or brake errors is approximately four times higher in winter than in summer. Snowfall usually begins in early October, so please drive safely depending on the weather and road conditions, slowing down and driving carefully, and installing winter tires as early as possible. NEXCO EAST Hokkaido Regional Head Office Official X (formerly Twitter) account (@e_nexco_kita) also distributes unique traffic safety awareness videos.
The average cumulative snowfall amount at each observation point on the Hokkaido Expressway last season (October 2020 to April 2020) was approximately 364.4 cm. The location with the most observed snowfall was Kanayama Tunnel on Do-O Expressway, with a cumulative snowfall of 658.2 cm.
(Details: Attachment-1 [PDF: 1.4MB])

3. 3. Request for snow removal work

1. Thank you for your cooperation in running the snowplow at low speed.

   Snow removal work is carried out at speeds of 50km/h or less, changing vehicle formations depending on road conditions and weather. Passing a snow plow vehicle is prohibited during snow removal operations, so please slow down and maintain sufficient distance between vehicles to follow the snow plow vehicle. For snow removal methods unique to Expressway, please see Attachment 2 [PDF: 628KB].

   
2. Please be careful when passing antifreeze spraying vehicles.

   If roads are predicted to freeze, antifreeze will be applied in advance.
   Please be careful when passing a work vehicle that is spraying as there is a risk that the anti-freeze may get sprayed on the vehicle.

   
3. Work may be carried out even on sunny days.
   Depending on road conditions, we may perform tasks such as snow removal, spraying antifreeze, and clearing snow from road shoulders.
   In addition, if it is determined that the road is dangerous, the road may be closed.
   We appreciate your understanding and cooperation.

Four. We are distributing winter Expressway information on our official LINE account and Official X (formerly Twitter).