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NEXCO EAST Tohoku Regional Head Office (Miyagi Ward, Sendai City) has designated the period from November 1, 2025 to April 30, 2026 as the "Snow and Ice Countermeasures Period," and will be working around the clock to monitor weather and road conditions and carry out snow and ice countermeasures to ensure safe traffic on Expressway during the winter.
We ask that our customers understand and cooperate with snow removal and other snow and ice countermeasures, and that they make sure to prepare and be mentally prepared for driving on winter roads, such as by putting on winter tires early.

1. Snow and ice countermeasures to ensure safe driving

During the winter, snow and ice countermeasures are carried out on Expressway to ensure that customers can use Expressway safely. As snow and ice countermeasure vehicles will be driving at low speeds as shown below, this will cause inconvenience to customers while driving, and we ask for your understanding and cooperation.

Snow removal work

When snow accumulates on the road surface due to snowfall, or to remove packed snow or slush, a group of two or three snow removal trucks capable of high-speed snow removal work is carried out, usually at a speed of 20 to 40 km/h.

• 交通管理者との協議により規制形態が変わる場合があります

Anti-freezing work

When roads are predicted to freeze, antifreeze (sodium chloride) is sprayed in advance to prevent freezing. The antifreeze is used not to melt snow or ice, but to prevent freezing, and work is usually carried out at a speed of around 50 km/h.

• 交通管理者との協議により規制形態が変わる場合があります

For the safety of our customers, we ask for your understanding and cooperation in refraining from reckless overtaking during snow and ice removal work as it is dangerous, and in maintaining a sufficient distance between your vehicle and the work vehicle.

2. Preparation and mental readiness for winter driving

① Be sure to install winter tires and check them!

• To drive safely on winter Expressway, be sure to install winter tires!
  Driving on snowy or icy roads with standard tires is extremely dangerous. When driving on winter Expressway, regardless of where you live, you should not only install winter tires, but also carry tire chains in case of an emergency. Also, if the tires are not installed properly, there is a risk of accidents such as wheel slippage, so when changing tires, be sure to check that the nuts are not loose.
• Did you know that winter tires have a shorter lifespan?
  It is said that winter tires have a shorter lifespan than normal tires. If the condition of the tires is poor, there is a higher risk of a tire bursting. Before replacing your tires, be sure to check the tread and air pressure again.

②Check the information board!

3. Don't speed! Don't make sudden turns or brakes!

In winter, car brakes are less effective than on dry roads in summer, making the roads very slippery. Sudden steering, acceleration, and braking can cause spinouts and are extremely dangerous. When starting to move, accelerating, and decelerating, be careful and remember to operate "gently" and "slowly." Also, keep a sufficient distance between vehicles and drive with ample space to maneuver.

④Do not overtake snowplows!

These vehicles are clearing snow and spraying antifreeze to prevent freezing, and they often block lanes with multiple vehicles traveling at speeds of less than 50 km/h. Because snow and antifreeze kicked up by snowplows can fly and road conditions change after they are overtaken, please do not overtake or pass other vehicles, and keep a sufficient distance between you and the vehicle behind the vehicle.

5. Be aware of dangerous phenomena that can occur on winter roads!

• stack
  Normal tires are no match for snow-covered or icy roads, and cars and pedestrians get stuck. Stuck vehicles cause major traffic jams on winter roads and cause traffic chaos.
• Whiteout
  Whiteouts caused by snow can instantly take away your sense of direction and visibility. Be sure to check weather and road conditions before heading out to avoid danger.

3. Introduction of technologies to ensure safe transportation

strip guide light

To support safe driving, particularly on Tohoku Expressway, in sections where visibility is poor due to blizzards, snowfall, whiteouts, and other factors, and in sections where accidents are frequent, lights have been installed to help drivers see the width and curves of the road.

Even when the road is covered in snow or visibility is poor, drivers can now easily see the shoulder lines by shining green lights from machines installed at regular intervals to mark the shoulder lines.

Safety Line

A green line is projected onto the road surface behind work vehicles such as snowplows and antifreeze spreaders.

By using this line as a guide and maintaining a certain distance between vehicles, you can drive safely.

Installation of snow fences

Snow fences are being installed to prevent snowdrifts on Expressway and reduce visibility problems.

4. Public Relations Initiatives

We will continue to promote safe winter road driving through advertisements, websites, and other means.

TV commercials, radio commercials, web ads, etc.

Official SNS

【Official LINE】
https://lin.ee/DCmtPpN (ID: @e-nexco)

[Official X (formerly Twitter)]

• NEXCO EAST (Tohoku) Official X @e_nexco_tohoku
• NEXCO EAST (Kanto) Official X @e_nexco_kanto
• NEXCO EAST (Niigata) Official X @e_nexco_niigata
• NEXCO EAST (Hokkaido) Official X @e_nexco_kita

Website

• Drive Traffic (DraTra)
• Expressway impact information site

Dr. Mammoshi's Winter Expressway Guide

5. How to contact us

Telephone inquiries (Customer Center)

　24時間、365日、お客さまの声をお聞きしています。
　0570-024-024　または　03-5308-2424

Road Emergency Dial (Emergency Only)

Please dial the emergency number for any abnormalities or emergencies such as fallen objects, vehicles driving in the wrong direction, people or bicycles entering the road, potholes in the road, collapsed shoulders, or dirty road surfaces.
Nationwide #9910 (24-hour service, free of charge)