[E18] Joshin-Etsu Expressway In-bound) Saku IC ⇒ Usui Karuizawa IC
Notice of all-day lane restrictions due to tunnel and bridge renovation work

The latest regulatory information isDraTraPlease see.

PDF version [PDF: 1.4MB]

NEXCO EAST Nagano Construction Office (Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture) is on the In-bound line between E18 Joshin-Etsu Expressway (hereinafter referred to as "Joshinetsu Expressway") Saku Interchange (hereinafter referred to as "IC") and Usui Karuizawa IC. We will implement lane restrictions throughout the day due to the renewal work of the aging Akaruyama Tunnel and Wamisawa Bridge. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause to our customers, but we ask for your cooperation in driving safely and by obeying the speed limit within the regulated section.
In addition, traffic jams are predicted to occur mainly on Sundays due to lane regulations. If you are planning to use the target section, please check the traffic information on websites such as "DraTra", change the time of use, and use it with plenty of time to spare. This is a necessary construction work for safe and comfortable use of Expressway, so we ask for your understanding and cooperation in the construction.

1. 1. Overview of lane regulations

Construction image photo (past construction)

Lane restriction section Joshinetsu Expressway In-bound) Saku IC ⇒ Usui Karuizawa IC

Lane regulation schematic diagram

①Tunnel reinforcement work (Akaryuyama Tunnel)

When driving, please follow local signs, etc., and drive safely.

• Weekday restriction extension: Approx. 2.5 km
• Extension of restrictions on weekends: Approximately 4.0 km (including extension of restrictions on climbing lanes)

② Bridge deck replacement work (Wamisawa Bridge)

When driving, please follow local signs, etc., and drive safely.

• Length of restricted road: Approximately 2.9 km

2. Lane restriction period

• Lane restrictions will be in place all day, including weekends and holidays.
• During the period of the restrictions, traffic congestion is expected to occur mainly on Sundays. In order to alleviate congestion, we ask for your cooperation in detouring the restricted areas and avoiding peak times.
• The restriction period may change depending on the weather, work progress, etc.
• Actual traffic conditions may differ from predictions due to accidents or weather conditions, so please check the latest traffic information before departing.
• Lane restrictions are scheduled to remain in place on this section throughout the day from late August onwards. More details will be announced separately.

3. Requests for special vehicles

Due to this traffic regulation, special vehicles exceeding 3.0 m in width cannot pass during the all-day lane regulation period. Customers using the service, please take a detour to the surrounding roads.
Also, please note that if you have obtained a special vehicle traffic permit ^(*) only for Expressway routes, you will also need to obtain a permit for general roads.

• What is special vehicle passage permission?
  Based on the Road Law and the Vehicle Restriction Ordinance, this is a permit required for special vehicles that exceed general restrictions (length, weight, vehicle width, etc.) to pass on public roads.

4. Overview of tunnel reinforcement work

At the Akagaryuzan Tunnel, located between Saku IC and Usui-Karuizawa IC on the Joshinetsu In-bound, we will be carrying out tunnel reinforcement work to prevent the road surface from rising and being damaged due to the expansion of the ground around the tunnel. This work is necessary to ensure that you can use Expressway safely and comfortably, so we ask for your understanding and cooperation.

Main work contents

In order to create a stronger ring-shaped structure for the tunnel, which is subject to excessive force from around the tunnel, concrete (invert) will be installed to improve stability. Specifically, after the road surface is excavated, an invert will be installed to reinforce the tunnel bottom, and then paving work will be carried out to restore the road to a drivable road.

• What is an invert?...The bottom of the tunnel is joined to the inverted arch by concrete, which increases bearing strength and prevents subsidence and deformation.

5. Bridge deck replacement work overview

At the Wamisawa Bridge located between Saku IC ⇒ Usui Karuizawa IC on the Joshinetsu Expressway In-bound Line, the concrete floor slabs damaged due to aging and the increase in the number of large vehicles will be replaced with new concrete floor slabs with more durable ones. This is a necessary construction for you to use Expressway safely and comfortably, so we ask for your understanding and cooperation.

Main work contents

Due to the effects of antifreeze spraying in winter and increased traffic volume, deterioration of the deck, which is the driving surface, has become apparent. This project aims to extend the bridge's lifespan and improve its durability by replacing the deteriorated deck with a new, highly durable concrete deck, and then carrying out paving work to restore the road to a drivable state.

6. Request when using

1. Due to construction work, lane restrictions will be in place on the inbound lanes In-bound day, reducing the current two lanes in each direction to one lane. As the lane width narrows in the all-day lane restriction section, please observe the speed limit, maintain a safe distance between vehicles, and exercise caution to avoid rear-end collisions. Furthermore, lane positions will change as construction work progresses, so please drive with caution.
2. On Saturdays and Sundays, lane restrictions will be implemented on the In-bound lanes around Sakudaira SIC, reducing the number of lanes from the current three to two. When driving, please observe the speed limit, maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, and be careful to avoid rear-end collisions. In addition, there are vehicles merging onto the main line from Sakudaira SIC, so please drive with caution, paying close attention to what is ahead.
3. Construction vehicles may come and go around the construction site, so please be careful when driving ahead.
4. During the restriction period, traffic flow may become poor due to traffic congestion. Before heading out, please check the latest lane restrictions and traffic information on the websites listed in "7. How to obtain traffic information." Also, please allow yourself plenty of time when traveling.
5. During the construction period, we will use LED information boards and road signs to provide construction regulation information and call attention to driving safely. Please check this information before driving and drive safely.

7. How to obtain traffic information

(1) Guidance by distribution / posting

• Posters, leaflets and digital signage will be posted at nearby toll booths, SA and PA.
• A banner will be posted on the overpass on the Expressway.

(2) Road traffic information that can be obtained before going out

• Expressway renewal project website
• NEXCO EAST Expressway Traffic Information Site "DraTra"
  Real-time information

  [PC] https://www.drivetraffic.jp/

  [Mobile] http://m.drivetraffic.jp/

  Construction regulation information

  [PC] https://www.drivetraffic.jp/construction-regulation
• NEXCO東日本お客さまセンター
  ナビダイヤル　0570-024-024（24時間オペレーターが対応）
  または　03-5308-2424
• 日本道路交通情報センター（JARTIC）の道路交通情報
  全国共通ダイヤル　050-3369-6666
  （携帯短縮ダイヤル　#8011）
  ※全国どこからでも最寄りの情報センターに接続します。
  全国・関東甲信越情報　050-3369-6600
  長野情報　050-3369-6620
  【PC】https://www.jartic.or.jp/

(3) Road traffic information available while using the Expressway

• Road information board
• Highway radio (AM1620kHz)
  The highway radio section is indicated by signs on the Expressway.

• Information is also distributed on official X (formerly Twitter) and LINE accounts.
  [X (old Twitter)]
  "NEXCO EAST (Kanto)" (@e_nexco_kanto) Real-time traffic information
  “NEXCO EAST (Kanto Construction Regulations)” (@e_nexco_kanto_k) Decision to implement construction regulations
  [LINE]
  "NEXCO EAST" (@e-nexco) Road closures and weather information