Expressway traffic conditions during the Obon festival (breaking news) [Hokkaido version]
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- Expressway traffic conditions during the Obon festival (breaking news) [Hokkaido version]
August 18, 2020
East Nippon Expressway Co., Ltd.
Hokkaido Regional Head Office
NEXCO EAST Hokkaido Regional Head Office (Atsubetsu-ku, Sapporo) has compiled information on traffic conditions in Hokkaido during the Obon period [August 7th (Fri) to August 16th (Sun), 2026: 10 days] and would like to inform you of the details.
- Average daily traffic volume was 101% compared to the same period last year.
- There were 15 instances of traffic jams lasting over 1km, which is 2 more than the same period last year.
- There were zero instances of traffic jams exceeding 10km, which is one less than the same period last year.
- The longest traffic jam occurred on August 13th (Thursday) at 9:55 AM, on the E5A SHIRIBESHI EXPRESSWAY Expressway between Otaru Junction and Otaru Shioya Interchange (In-bound, towards Yoichi), and was 8.0 km long, caused by heavy traffic.
1. 1. Comparison period
- ① Reiwa 8
- [August 7, 2020 (Friday) to August 16, 2020 (Sunday): 10 days]
- ②Reiwa 7
- [August 8, 2020 (Friday) to August 17, 2020 (Sunday): 10 days]
2. Average daily traffic volume
（詳細は別紙【PDF：290KB】をご覧ください）
| ① Results for 2026 | ② Results for 2025 | Comparison ① / ② |
|---|---|---|
| 21,100 units/day | 20,800 units/day | 101％ |
3. 3. Congestion situation
(Including traffic congestion caused by accidents, etc.)
| ① Results for 2026 | ② Results for 2025 | Comparison ①-② | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Over 1km of traffic | 15 times | 13 times | +2 times |
| Congestion of 10 km or more | 0 times | Once | ▲ once |
Especially long traffic congestion (Worst 5)
- IC: Interchange, PA: Parking area, JCT: Junction, TB: Main line toll gate, TN: Tunnel
[Reiwa 8]
| Ranking | Congestion length | Peak date and time | Section (IC omitted) * | Head of the traffic jam * | Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8.0km | August 13th (Thursday) 9:55am |
E5A SHIRIBESHI EXPRESSWAY
小樽オタルJCT → 小樽塩谷オタルシオヤ
(In-bound line, towards Yoichi) |
Tenjin Bridge Tenjin Toucan area | Traffic concentration |
| 2 | 5.5km | August 9th (Sunday), 5:45 PM |
E5 Hokkaido road
千歳恵庭チトセエニワJCT → 輪厚ワッツスマート
(Out-bound line / Sapporo area) |
Eniwa Anywhere Near the IC | accident |
| 3 | 3.0km | August 7th (Friday) 13:40 |
E5A Bill barrel
Sapporo Kita → Kariki
(Out-bound lane, towards Sapporo JCT) |
Near Kariki Interchange | accident |
| 3 | 3.0km | Monday, August 10th 11:20am |
E5 Hokkaido road
輪厚ワッツスマート → 恵庭エニワ
(In-bound line, towards Tomakomai) |
Eniwa Anywhere Near the IC | Due to an accident Road closed |
| 3 | 3.0km | Saturday, August 15th 16:20 |
E38DOTO EXPWY
占冠シムカップ → むかわ穂別ホベツ
(In-bound line, towards Sapporo) |
Near Hobetsu TN | Traffic concentration |
[Reiwa 7]
| Ranking | Congestion length | Peak date and time | Section (IC omitted) * | Head of the traffic jam * | Cause |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10.8km | Friday, August 8th 8:30am |
E5 Hokkaido road
Ooyachi → Wattsmart
(In-bound line, towards Tomakomai) |
Near Watatsu Watts PA | Accident and Traffic concentration |
| 2 | 4.8km | Wednesday, August 13th 10:45am |
E5A SHIRIBESHI EXPRESSWAY
Otaru Shioya → Yoichi
(In-bound line, towards Yoichi) |
Near Yoichi TB | Traffic concentration |
| 3 | 4.0km | August 15th (Friday) 17:50 |
E38DOTO EXPWY
占冠シムカップ → むかわ穂別ホベツ
(In-bound line, towards Sapporo) |
Near Hobetsu TN | Due to accident After the road closure was lifted Traffic congestion |
| 3 | 4.0km | August 16th (Sat) 15:40 |
E5 Hokkaido road
輪厚ワッツスマート → 恵庭エニワ
(In-bound line, towards Tomakomai) |
Eniwa Anywhere Near the IC | Due to an accident Road closed |
| 5 | 3.4km | Saturday, August 9th 11:10am |
E38DOTO EXPWY
夕張ユウバリ → むかわ穂別ホベツ
(Out-bound, towards Obihiro) |
Near Mukawa Hobetsu IC | Due to a broken car Road closed |
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