Guide for Driving on Snowy Roads

​Don't let your guard down when heavy snow falls in the Kanto region! Tomei / Shin-Tomei Expressway Tomei Gotemba in winter

• Q1 Kanto Expressway
  Don't worry about snow?

• Q1 Is there no worry about snow on the Kanto Expressway?

  A1 No, snow falls on the Tomei and Shin-Tomei Expwy!

  Snow falls on the Tomei and Shin-Tomei Expwy!

  The Tomei Expwy and the Shin-Tomei Expwy are free from snow even in the middle of winter ... Don't you think so?
  In fact, heavy snow can occur even in areas where it usually does not snow much. The area around Gotemba in Shizuoka Prefecture is an area that requires a lot of snowfall and severe climate change. Gotemba Interchange (elevation 454m) is the highest point on the Tomei Expwy, and Gotemba Junction (elevation 405m) is the highest point on the Shin-Tomei Expwy. In addition to this altitude, heavy snowfall occurs near Gotemba in winter due to the influence of the south bank low pressure that occurs off the coast of Shikoku.

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  Be sure to wear winter tires!

  It is not surprisingly known that heavy snow falls even in Tomei and Shin-Tomei Expwy, and there are many cars without winter tires and tire chains, and many drivers who are unfamiliar with winter road driving.
  Tomei Expwy Oi-Matsuda Interchange to Numazu Interchange/ Shin-Tomei Expwy Between Gotemba junction and Nagaizumi-Numazu interchange, there may be heavy traffic jams and road closures due to heavy traffic jams and accompanying stuck vehicles that are unable to run due to snowfall ( stacked) vehicles.
  When you put this area in the running route, please use it after taking measures against winter roads firmly.

  ★ One point from NEXCO CENTRAL!
  Always wear winter tires when driving on a winter Expressway!
  When the heavy snow forecast is announced, make a reasonable driving plan in preparation for unnecessary emergency outings!

  Record heavy snowfall in the Kanto Koshin region in 2014

  From February 14 to 15, 2014, snow continued to fall mainly in the Kanto Koshin region due to the influence of the southern coastal cyclone, resulting in a record heavy snowfall. Especially in Yamanashi Prefecture, we observed snowfall that greatly updated the deepest snowfall record of the month. (See graph)

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  Many stack vehicles occur

  Hundreds of vehicles without winter tires or tire chains were stuck (stuck because they could not climb uphill), and the following vehicles stayed on the main Expressway, up to 40 km on the Tomei Expwy Traffic congestion.

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  Prolonged suspension of traffic over a wide area

  Due to the occurrence of stuck vehicles, snow removal work by ladder running became gradually impossible, and the Expressway was closed for a wide area. After that, snowfall continued, and the total amount of snowfall on the Tomei Expwy reached 126 cm without snow removal work.

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  Vehicles stay on the main Expressway for a long time

  Rescue work for vehicles stuck on the main line at Expressway was performed overnight, but the amount of snow was heavy and it took about 24 hours to rescue all vehicles.

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  When it is forecast that the weather is going to be extremely bad, such as heavy snowfall, please avoid unnecessary and urgent outings. If you need to go out, make a reasonable driving plan, be prepared and drive carefully.