[E4] Tohoku Expressway, up and down lines, between Utsunomiya IC and Yaita IC
Notice of all-day traffic restrictions due to renovation work

The latest regulatory information isDraTraPlease see.

PDF version [PDF: 713KB]

NEXCO EAST The Utsunomiya Management Office (Kanuma City, Tochigi Prefecture) announces that it will implement all-day traffic control on the In-bound line of the Kinugawa Bridge located on the E4 Tohoku Expressway (between the Utsunomiya IC and Yaita IC) on both the upper and lower lanes due to renovation work at Expressway. The all-day traffic restrictions will be implemented during the morning and evening hours, when there is heavy customer traffic, by utilizing the road zipper ^system* and reducing one of the two lanes on each of the upper and lower lanes to one lane at certain times of the day.
We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to our customers, but we ask that you please drive safely and observe the speed limit within the restricted area.
Expressway The renewal work is necessary for the safe and comfortable use of Expressway, and we ask for your understanding and cooperation in the construction work.

[Image of lane switching using the road zipper system]

1. Overview of traffic regulations

Traffic regulation outline

①－1 All-day traffic restrictions (lane switching) [In-bound traffic lane under construction]

• 9:00pm to 12:00pm (Out-bound: 2 lanes in operation In-bound: 1 lane in operation)

• 13:00-20:00 [Out-bound: 1 lane in operation In-bound: 2 lanes in operation]

①－2 All-day traffic restrictions (lane switching) [In-bound passing lane under construction]

• 9:00pm to 12:00pm (Out-bound: 2 lanes in operation In-bound: 1 lane in operation)

• 13:00-20:00 [Out-bound: 1 lane in operation In-bound: 2 lanes in operation]

①－3 Saturdays, Sundays and holidays [Up and down lines: 2 lanes in operation]

• Please be aware that driving lanes differ between daytime and nighttime, so please obey speed limits and pay attention to the driving lanes.
• As the driving lanes branch off, please continue driving without making any sudden lane changes.
• Please maintain a safe distance as lanes will change.

② All-day traffic restrictions (In-bound)

• In-bound lane under construction



• In-bound passing lane under construction

2. Traffic regulation period

• During the period of traffic restrictions, we ask for your cooperation in easing congestion by taking detours around construction areas and avoiding peak times.
• Restriction times may change depending on weather, work progress, etc.
• Actual traffic conditions may differ from predictions due to accidents or weather conditions, so please check the latest traffic information before departing.
• Traffic congestion is predicted to occur on Out-bound lanes in September, and on In-bound lanes from December to February.

3. Congestion forecast for all-day traffic restrictions (lane switching) (July 1, 2024 to 2024)

Lane switching will be carried out twice a day, during times when traffic volume is relatively low on both the inbound and outbound lanes. However, congestion is expected during lane switching work, so in order to alleviate congestion, we ask for your cooperation in taking detours around the construction zones and avoiding peak times during the "predicted congestion times" shown in the diagram below.

Four. Requests when passing special vehicles

Due to restrictions imposed by this construction, some sections ^(※1) In Special vehicles over 3.0m wide cannot pass through. Customers who wish to use this road are asked to take a detour to nearby roads.
In addition, special vehicle permits ^(※2) Please note that if you have only obtained permission for Expressway routes, you will also need to obtain permission for general roads.

1. Target section: Tohoku Expressway (both inbound and outbound lanes) between Utsunomiya IC and Yaita IC
2. 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.

Five. Construction details

The concrete deck of Kinugawa Bridge, which has been damaged by aging and an increase in large vehicles, will be replaced with a new, more durable prestressed concrete deck. In addition, a high-performance waterproofing system will be installed on the waterproof layer to prevent deterioration of the deck.

Construction image photograph

6. Request when using

1. Traffic congestion is expected in some sections of the construction zone, beginning at the construction site, so please allow plenty of time when travelling.
2. Since the lanes and road shoulders are narrow, please observe the speed limit when driving, secure a distance between vehicles, and be careful of rear-end collisions. In addition, lanes will change significantly before and after the restricted section, so please follow the local guidance signs.
3. Vehicles for construction work may enter and leave the area around the construction site, so please be careful when traveling ahead.
4. During the construction period, we will provide traffic congestion information using LED information boards, provide construction regulation information using road information boards and road signs, and call attention to driving safely. Please check this information before driving and drive safely.

Image of information provision image around the construction site

7. How to get traffic information

• "DraPla", a site full of useful information on Expressway nationwide
  https://www.driveplaza.com/
• Expressway traffic information service "Drive Traffic (DraTra)"
  Real-time information

  https://www.drivetraffic.jp/

  Construction regulation information

  https://www.drivetraffic.jp/construction-regulation
• NEXCO東日本お客さまセンター
  24時間365日オペレーターが応対いたします。
  0570-024-024（ナビダイヤル）　または　03-5308-2424
• 日本道路交通情報センター（JARTIC）
  https://www.jartic.or.jp/
  全国共通ダイヤル　050-3369-6666
  （携帯短縮ダイヤル　#8011）
  ※全国どこからでも最寄りの情報センターに接続します。
  全国・関東甲信越情報　050-3369-6600
  栃木情報　050-3369-6609
  東北地方高速情報　050-3369-6761
• LINE Official Account
  We inform you about the traffic closure situation in NEXCO EAST jurisdiction.
  [Search] Search by "NEXCO EAST"
  [ID] @e-nexco

  

• X (formerly Twitter) official account
  "NEXCO EAST (Kanto) (@e_nexco_kanto) provides information on Expressway in the Kanto region.
• Highway radio
  Highway radio (AM1620kHz)
  Broadcasting sections are indicated by signs on the Expressway
• Highway Information Terminal
  Wide-area road traffic information is notified on the monitor screen installed in SA / PA.