[E18] Joshin-Etsu Expressway Out-bound Line Matsuida Myogi IC ⇒ Usui Karuizawa IC
Notice of day and night continuous lane restrictions due to tunnel renewal construction

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  • [E18] Joshin-Etsu Expressway Out-bound Line between Matsuida Myogi IC and Usui Karuizawa IC Notice of day and night continuous lane restrictions due to tunnel renewal construction

The latest regulatory information isDraTraPlease see.

PDF version [PDF: 702KB]

Expressway renewal project logo image image 1

February 1, 2024
East Nippon Expressway Co., Ltd.
Nagano Construction Office

NEXCO EAST Nagano Construction Office (Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture) E18 Joshin-Etsu Expressway (hereinafter referred to as "Joshinetsu Expressway") Out-bound Line Matsuida Myogi Interchange (hereinafter referred to as "IC") Continuous lane restrictions will be implemented day and night due to the renewal work of the aging Takaiwayama Tunnel between Usui Karuizawa IC and Usui. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause, but we ask that you comply with the speed limit and cooperate in driving safely within the regulated zone.
In addition, due to lane restrictions, traffic congestion is expected to occur up to 3 km during the daytime on weekdays. If you are planning to use the target section, please check the traffic information on websites such as "DraTra", change the time of use, and use it with plenty of time. This is necessary for the safe and comfortable use of Expressway, so we ask for your understanding and cooperation in the construction.

1. 1. Overview of lane regulations

Route E18 Joshin-Etsu Expressway
section Out-bound line Matsuida Myogi IC ⇒ Usui Karuizawa IC
Implementation period Day and night continuous lane regulation
  • 2024 Monday, February 26 -2024 Wednesday, July 31 *Except Saturdays, Sundays, holidays and some periods
  • For details, please see "3. About the lane regulation period"
Time zone 24 hours (all day)
Construction content Tunnel reinforcement work (see "6. Outline of tunnel reinforcement work")

◆Construction image photo (past year's construction)

Image of protective fence installation
Protection fence installation situation
Image of invert drilling
Invert drilling situation
Image of concrete placement
Concrete placing situation
Image of completion of concrete placement
Concrete placing completion status

2. Construction section

Joshinetsu Expressway Out-bound Line Matsuida-Myogi IC ⇒ Usui-Karuizawa IC

Image image of construction section

3. About lane restriction period

Regulation period
2024 February 26, 2020 -2024
  • Excluding weekends, holidays, and some periods
Image of lane restriction period in March 2024
Image of lane restriction period in April 2024
Image of lane restriction period in May 2024
Image of lane restriction period in June 2024
Image of lane restriction period in July 2024
Legend image image
  • The restrictions will start at 6am on Monday morning and will be lifted by 8pm on Friday night.
  • During the construction period, we predict that traffic congestion of up to 3 km will occur during the daytime on weekdays.
  • The regulation period may change depending on the weather and work progress.
  • We will notify you separately regarding the restriction period after the August peak season.
  • Actual traffic conditions may differ from predictions due to accidents or weather conditions, so please check the latest traffic information before departing.

Four. Lane regulation contents

We will implement day and night continuous lane restrictions. When driving, please follow the local signs and drive safely.

  • Out-bound line Matsuida Myogi IC ⇒ Usui Karuizawa IC
  • Regulation extension: Approximately 3.0km
Image image of driving lane regulation
Image image of passing lane regulation

Five. Request when passing special vehicles

Due to the latest traffic regulations, special vehicles over 3.0m in width will not be allowed to pass during the day and night continuous lane regulation period. For those using the service, please take a detour to nearby roads.
Also, please note that if special vehicle permission (*) has been obtained only for Expressway, you will also need to obtain permission for general roads.

  • What is special vehicle passage permission?
    Based on the Road Law and the Vehicle Restriction Ordinance, this is a permit required for special vehicles that exceed general restrictions (length, weight, vehicle width, etc.) to pass on public roads.

6. Outline of tunnel reinforcement work

At the Takaiwayama Tunnel between Matsuida Myogi IC and Usui Karuizawa IC on the Joshinetsu Out-bound Outbound Line, tunnel reinforcement work will be carried out to prevent the road surface from swelling and damage due to expansion of the tunnel ground.

[Main construction details]
In order to make the ring-shaped structure stronger and improve stability for tunnels that are subject to excessive force from the ground, inverts will be installed. Specifically, after excavating the road surface, concrete (invert) will be installed to reinforce the bottom of the tunnel, and then paving work will be carried out to return the road to a drivable state. The inverts will be installed from 2024.

Tunnel reinforcement work - image before construction
Tunnel reinforcement work - image after construction
  • Invert is to connect the bottom of the tunnel to the reverse arch with concrete, which increases the yield strength and prevents subsidence and deformation.

7. 7. Request when using

  1. Since the construction section will be subject to continuous day and night lane restrictions over a Out-bound line of approximately 3.0km, the number of lanes will be reduced from the current two lanes on each side to one lane. Since the lane width is narrow in the day and night continuous lane regulation section, please observe the regulated speed when driving, secure the inter-vehicle distance, and be careful about rear-end collisions. In addition, the lane position will change depending on the progress of construction, so please be careful when passing.
  2. Vehicles for construction work may enter and leave the area around the construction site, so please be careful when traveling ahead.
  3. During the construction period, traffic flow may be affected due to heavy traffic. Before heading out, please check the latest lane regulations and traffic information on the websites listed in "8. How to obtain traffic information." Also, please leave plenty of time when using the service.
  4. During the construction period, we will provide construction regulation information using LED information boards and road signs and call attention to driving safely. Please check this information before driving and drive safely.

8. How to get traffic information

(1) Guidance by distribution / posting

  • Information on posters, leaflets and digital signage will be posted at nearby tollhouses, SA / PA.
  • A banner will be posted on the overpass on the Expressway.

(2) Road traffic information that can be obtained before going out

(3) Road traffic information available while using the Expressway

  • Road information board
  • Highway radio (AM1620kHz)
    The highway radio section is indicated by signs on the Expressway.
  • Highway Information Terminal
    Wide-area road information is provided in an easy-to-understand manner on the monitor screens installed in SA / PA.
  • Information is also distributed on official X (formerly Twitter) and LINE accounts.
    [X (old Twitter)]
    "NEXCO EAST (Kanto)"
    (@e_nexco_kanto) Real-time traffic information
    [LINE]
    “NEXCO EAST” (@e-nexco) Road closures and weather information
Expressway renewal project logo image image 2
Expressway renewal project

Now, passing on safety and security to the next generation.
NEXCO EAST will continue to work on Expressway renewal and repair projects to deliver safety and security to everyone.
Or search for "high speed renewal".

The NEXCO EAST Group has positioned the period from 2021 to 2025 as "a period that contributes to the achievement of the SDGs and transforms into a new future society," and is making various efforts.
We believe that this "renewal work" initiative will contribute to the SDGs goals No. 8, 9, and 11 as business activities that lead to the development of safe, secure, and reliable infrastructure.

Image image of the SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS logo and the 8th, 9th, and 11th logos of the SDGs target
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