At the time of the 94th National Fireworks Competition (Omagari Fireworks)
[E46] Congestion forecast for Akita Expressway

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NEXCO EAST Akita Management Office (Akita City, Akita Prefecture) and Kitakami Management Office (Kitakami City, Iwate Prefecture), at the time of the 94th National Fireworks Competition [Saturday, August 27, 2024] E46 We are pleased to inform you that we have summarized the traffic congestion predictions and countermeasures for the Akita Expressway as follows.
Traffic is expected to be heavy on the general roads around the venue on the day of the event, so please plan your trip with plenty of time and drive safely.

1. Congestion on the Akita Expressway Main Line

On the day of the event, there is a concentration of customers heading to the venue, so traffic jams occur every year on the Out-bound line of the Akita Expressway and the Omagari IC exit, which is the nearest interchange (IC). I am predicting. In addition, National Route 107, which connects Kitakami City and Yokote City, is currently closed due to a disaster, and a significant increase in access from the Akita Expressway is expected.
In addition, even after the tournament is over, it is predicted that the congestion at the Omagari IC entrance, Yokote IC entrance, Yuda IC entrance, and the In-bound line heading for the Tohoku Expressway will continue until around 3:00 a.m. the next day.
Please consider early action and route selection other than Akita Expressway.

<< Locations where traffic congestion of 5 km or more is expected >>

• "IC" is an interchange, "JCT" is a junction, and "TN" is a tunnel.
• 1 Please check the traffic congestion information on the road information boards installed at the Expressway main lines and at the toll gate entrances.
• 2 If you notice a traffic jam ahead, please turn on the hazard lamp and cooperate with the following vehicle to prevent a rear-end collision accident by signaling to the following vehicle.

2. Congestion at Omagari IC

At the time of the tournament, the closest IC to the venue will be the In-bound Out-bound Expressway the Akita Expressway. Please consider using the IC ^(*) of Even after the tournament is over, the Omagari IC entrance is still congested from general roads. Please pay attention to the road ahead and drive safely.

• From the Tohoku Expressway direction, Yokote IC, Yokote Kita Smart IC (for ETC vehicles only) or Yuda IC.
  From Akita City, take Kyowa IC or Nishisenboku Smart IC (for ETC vehicles only).
• The Nishi-Semboku Smart IC is normally open from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm, but on the day of the tournament, it will be open from 6:00 am on the 27th (Sat) to 2:00 am on the 28th (Sun).
• Yokote Kita Smart IC is open 24 hours.

3. Major measures against traffic jams

On the day of the tournament, traffic congestion at the Akita Expressway main line and IC exits are expected, so NEXCO EAST will implement the following measures regarding traffic guidance and information provision.

1. Traffic guides will be placed at the Akita Expressway Omagari IC exit toll gate.
2. Maps of traffic regulations around the venue will be distributed at the Akita Expressway Yamauchi Parking Area (PA) (Out-bound), Omori PA (Out-bound), and Nishisenboku Service Area (SA) (In-bound).
3. Traffic controllers will be placed at the parking lots of the Akita Expressway Kinshuko Service Area, Yamauchi Parking Area (In-bound line), and Omori Parking Area (In-bound line).
4. A temporary LED information board will be installed on the Akita Expressway main line to provide traffic information and alerts.

Four. Business hours of facilities in the Akita Expressway area

The business hours of the facilities in the area on the day of the event (Sat) 27th and the day after (Sun) 28th are as follows.

• Kinshuko Service Area will extend the business hours of the shop, light meal corner, and gas station as follows.
  
  Shop, light meal corner:

  27th (Sat) 7:00 to 28th (Sun) 20:00

  gas station:

  27th (Sat) 8:00 to 28th (Sun) 20:00
• Convenience stores in Nishisenboku Service Area (up and down lines) are open 24 hours a day.
  Please note that there are no gas stations on either line.

Five. Providing traffic information

For safe and comfortable driving on Expressway, you can easily obtain the latest Expressway information (traffic conditions, road surface conditions, road conditions, etc.) on your PC or mobile phone. Please use it before departure.

• The use of mobile phones and smartphones while driving is prohibited. When using it, please operate it before departure, during breaks, or by a passenger.

• "DraPla", a site full of useful information on Expressway nationwide
  [Address] https://www.driveplaza.com/
• Expressway traffic information service "Drive Traffic (DraTra)"
  【address】
  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。
  【電話番号】
  0570-024-024　または　03-5308-2424
• 日本道路交通情報センター（JARTIC）
  【アドレス】　https://www.jartic.or.jp/
  【電話番号】
  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。
  岩手情報　050-3369-6603
  秋田情報　050-3369-6605
  東北地方高速情報　050-3369-6761
• Highway radio
  Highway radio (AM1620kHz)
  The section that is broadcasting is indicated by the sign on Expressway.
• Other
  In the major SA / PAs in the Tohoku region, "Driving Weather Ch." Broadcasts useful information for driving, such as weather forecasts and points to note when driving.