Congestion prediction on Expressway during Obon period [Hokkaido version]
~Traffic jams of up to 15km are predicted on Doto Expressway on Thursday, August 14~
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- Congestion prediction on Expressway during Obon period [Hokkaido version]
July 11, 2020
East Nippon Expressway Co., Ltd.
Hokkaido Regional Head Office
NEXCO EAST Hokkaido Regional Head Office (Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo City) will announce its forecast for traffic congestion due to traffic concentration on Expressway under its Regional Head Office during the Obon period [Thursday, August 7, 2025 to Sunday, August 17, 2025: 11 days].
In order to alleviate traffic congestion, we ask for your cooperation in "dispersing use of the facilities" by avoiding busy days and times.
Additionally, holiday discounts will not be applied during the Obon period.
1. Major traffic congestion predicted sections (traffic jams of 10km or more)
On Thursday, August 14th, between 2pm and 8pm, with a peak at 5pm, traffic will be restricted to a maximum of 15km from Tomamu IC to Mukawa Hobetsu IC In-bound Doto Expressway
Traffic congestion is predicted for the day after the Katsumae Fireworks Festival, which will be held in Obihiro City on Wednesday, August 13th.
If the Katsumago Fireworks Festival is postponed due to rain or other reasons, please be aware of traffic conditions on the day after the festival.
2. Comparison of traffic congestion during the Obon period last year (Hokkaido Regional Head Office area)
| Maximum traffic length | Traffic congestion forecast for 2025 8/7 (Thu) - 8/17 (Sun) |
Traffic jam results 2024 8/8 (Thu) - 8/18 (Sun) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Traffic jam prediction count | Total traffic count | Number of traffic jams due to traffic congestion * | |
| 1 to less than 10km | 8 times | 20 times | 8 times |
| 10km or more | Once | Twice | Once |
* "Number of traffic jams due to traffic congestion" refers to the number of traffic jams excluding the effects of accidents, etc.
For details on traffic congestion forecasts of 1km or more, please refer to the attached document [PDF: 197KB].
3. Special website for traffic congestion and "Obon traffic congestion forecast"
The customer website "DraPla" has set up a special site for traffic congestion periods, which includes a traffic congestion forecast guide and explanations of how to avoid traffic congestion.
In addition, the "Obon Traffic Jam Forecast" for the Hokkaido Regional Head Office Office area will be distributed at rest facilities and other locations throughout Hokkaido from around mid-July, so please make use of it.
Four. Precautions regarding ETC holiday discounts
Holiday discounts will not be applied during the Obon period. Please see below for details.
5. Eliminate wrong-way driving –Expressway are one-way streets –
Driving the wrong way is a dangerous act that can be life-threatening. Please be aware of the following points to avoid causing serious accidents caused by driving the wrong way.
- Please pay close attention to regulatory signs, guide signs, and road markings, and drive in the correct direction.
- U-turns and backing up on Expressway are strictly prohibited.
- If you hear or see information about wrong-way driving, slow down, maintain a sufficient distance, and keep a close eye on the movements of the vehicle ahead.
To view the PDF file, you need the Adobe Systems plug-in software "Acrobat Reader (Japanese version)". If you do not have Download from here (free)Please use it.