(24th report)
Status of Expressway following the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake (Tohoku Regional Head Regional Head Office)
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- (24th report) Status of Expressway following the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake (Tohoku Regional Head Regional Head Office)
March 23, 2011
As of 19:00
East Nippon Expressway Co., Ltd.
Tohoku Regional Head Office
NEXCO East Japan Tohoku Regional Head Office (Aoba Ward, Sendai City) is proceeding with emergency restoration for damage to the Expressway caused by the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake that occurred at 14:46 on March 11, 2011. Except for some sections, there is a prospect that general traffic will be secured.
Although traffic restrictions are continuing due to restoration work in some sections, we will continue to do our utmost to aim for this restoration as soon as possible, and we ask for your understanding and cooperation.
This information is posted on our website.
1. About cancellation of traffic regulation
On some routes such as Tohoku Expressway, Joban Expressway, etc., there will be a ban on traffic on vehicles other than emergency vehicles and large vehicles that have been implemented since 10:00 am on March 22, 2011, March 24. It is announced by the Emergency Disaster Security Headquarters of the National Police Agency that it will be canceled at 6 o'clock.
2. Traffic regulations after 6:00 on March 24 <
( Attachment [PDF: 160KB] As of)
All vehicles are allowed except for some sections such as Joban Expressway Sanriku Expressway, and Sendai-Tobu Road.
You can also use ETC and smart ICs.
・The remaining traffic restrictions are shown in the table below. (Situation within NEXCO East Japan Tohoku Regional Head Office (*1) only)
1) Closed section
| Road name | direction | Section/IC | Remarks |
| Sanriku Expressway / Sendai-Tobu Road | Up | Rifu JCT-Sendai Wakabayashi JCT | To restore the damaged bridge |
| Joban Expressway | Up and down | Iwaki Chuo IC-Joban Tomioka IC | Closed for the evacuation area of the nuclear power plant |
| Yamagata Expressway | under | Nishikawa IC-Gasan IC | There is a risk of avalanche (*2) |
2) IC closed location
| Road name | direction | Section/IC | Remarks |
| Sanriku Expressway | Up and down | Sendai Kohoku IC | For restoration by submergence at toll gate |
| Tohoku Expressway | Up and down | Chojahara smart IC | Gas station congestion (during the time) |
- Aomori prefecture, Akita prefecture, Iwate prefecture, Miyagi prefecture, Yamagata prefecture, Fukushima prefecture (Tohoku Expressway: north of Shirakawa IC, Joban Expressway: north of Iwaki Nakoso IC)
- Yamagata Expressway Nishikawa IC to Gassan IC Out-bound The suspension of the line was not due to the Tohoku-Pacific Ocean Earthquake. For more details, please see the important notice on our website, "Yamagata Expressway Partial Closure (as of 12:00 on March 22, 2011)".
3. Precautions when using the Expressway
1) Lane restrictions and speed restrictions are enforced in construction sections, etc., and in part, there are some road steps and wavy road surfaces. Please follow the speed and drive carefully.
2) Refueling may be restricted or may not be possible due to the lack of fuel supply to the gas station.
Please cooperate in refueling before using the Expressway.
Refueling is prioritized for emergency vehicles such as police and fire departments. Please refrain from refueling fuel carrying cans.
3) You can use ETC lanes and smart ICs, but for vehicles that have received "Disaster dispatch engagement vehicle certificate" issued by emergency vehicles (emergency vehicles, fire engines, etc.) and prefectures, etc. Please use the general lane with a toll booth staff.
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