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NEXCO EAST Hokkaido Regional Head Office (Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo) has designated the period from Thursday, October 16, 2025 to Thursday, April 30, 2026 as the "Snow and Ice Countermeasures Period," and will be working around the clock to monitor weather and road conditions and take measures against snow and ice, in an effort to ensure safe traffic.
Prior to the start of the snow and ice countermeasures period, Snow and Ice Countermeasures Departure Ceremonies (Safety Prayer Ceremonies) will be held at five management offices across Hokkaido as detailed below to pray for traffic safety on Expressway in winter and for the successful completion of snow and ice countermeasure work. These ceremonies are open to the press, so please come and cover the event.
We ask that customers please put on winter tires and other winter equipment early, and also understand and cooperate with snow and ice countermeasures.

1. 1. Date and time of the snow and ice countermeasures departure ceremony (safety prayer festival)

• In case of rain, it will be done in the garage.

• If you would like to be interviewed, please contact each management office by the day before the interview date.
  On the day of the event, please come to the reception desk at the venue's management office at least 10 minutes before the start time.

2. Traffic accident and snowfall

On Hokkaido's Expressway, the number of traffic accidents caused by steering and braking errors is approximately five times higher in winter than in summer. Snow typically begins falling in early October, so please drive safely by reducing your speed and driving carefully, depending on weather and road conditions, and by installing winter tires and other winter gear early on. When switching to winter tires, be sure to check that the nuts are tight and check the air pressure of the replaced tires to help prevent wheel-off accidents and tire bursts. The official NEXCO EAST YouTube channel (E-NEXCO driveplaza) also offers videos that teach safe driving tips and emergency procedures.
Last season (2024 to April 2025), the average cumulative snowfall at observation points on Hokkaido's Expressway was approximately 402.5 cm. The location with the heaviest snowfall was the Joban Tunnel on Do-O Expressway, where the cumulative snowfall was 810.1 cm. (Details: Appendix 1 [PDF: 439 KB])

3. 3. Request for snow removal work

1. Thank you for your cooperation in running the snowplow at low speed.

   Snow removal work is carried out at a speed of less than 50 km/h, with the vehicle formation changed depending on road conditions and weather.
   During snow removal work, it is prohibited to overtake snow removal vehicles, so please slow down, maintain a sufficient distance, and follow the snow removal vehicle.
   For snow removal methods specific to Expressway, please see Appendix 2 [PDF: 468KB].

   

2. Please be careful when passing antifreeze spraying vehicles.

   If roads are predicted to freeze, antifreeze will be applied in advance.
   Please be careful when passing a work vehicle that is spraying as there is a risk that the anti-freeze may get sprayed on the vehicle.

   

3. Work may be carried out even on sunny days.
   Depending on road conditions, snow removal, deicing agent application, snow removal from the shoulders of the road, etc. may be carried out. In addition, if it is deemed dangerous to pass, the road may be closed. We ask for your understanding and cooperation.

4. Notice of expected time when road closure will be lifted

We will announce the expected reopening times of road closures due to traffic accidents, broken-down vehicles, emergency construction (accident recovery, road surface repairs, etc.), and snow-related events on Hokkaido's Expressway via our official LINE account, Official X (formerly Twitter), and Expressway traffic information site "DraTra."

5. Winter Expressway information is available on the official LINE account and official X (formerly Twitter).