The process leading up to the opening of Joban Expressway

Following the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident, construction on Joban Expressway between Hirono Interchange (IC) and Minamisoma IC had been suspended. However, with the completion of the decontamination model project by the Ministry of the Environment and the commencement of decontamination work, restoration and maintenance work was carried out on the entire section starting in September 2012.

Furthermore, since the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare completed decontamination work on Joban Expressway in June 2013, restoration and maintenance work on some high-radiation sections between Joban Tomioka IC and Namie IC began in October 2013.

Opening dates between each interchange

• The section between Namie IC and Minamisoma IC (18km in length) opened on December 6, 2014.
• The section between Joban Tomioka IC and Namie IC (14 km in length) opened on March 1, 2015.
• The section between Hirono IC and Joban Tomioka IC (17km in length) reopened on February 22, 2014.