[E4] Tohoku Expressway [E4A] Hachinohe Expressway and
[E49] Ban-Etsu Expressway
Notice of planned renovation work

The latest regulatory information isDraTraPlease see.

PDF version [PDF: 1.8MB]

NEXCO EAST Tohoku Regional Head Office (Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture) announces that Expressway renewal work will begin in May 2026 on E4 Tohoku Expressway (" Tohoku Expressway"), E4A Hachinohe Expressway ("Hachinohe Road") and E49 Ban-Etsu Expressway (" Ban-Etsu Expressway").
Due to the construction, the following traffic restrictions will be implemented. Please note that the number of lanes will be reduced.
The renewal work is necessary for the safe and secure use of Expressway. We will work to minimize inconvenience to our customers, and we ask for your understanding and cooperation.

1. Location map/traffic regulation schedule

1. Please see below for details on the renewal work on the Hachinohe Expressway and Tohoku Expressway, which has been underway since March 2026.
   • Notice Regarding Planned Renewal Work Tohoku Expressway (E4) and Hachinohe Expressway (E4A) (Announced February 2, 2026)
   • [E4] Notice Regarding Planned Renewal Work on Tohoku Expressway Out-bound Lane, Towada IC to Kosaka IC (Announced March 2, 2026)

• Traffic restrictions will be in place all day including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
• The traffic restriction period may change depending on the progress of construction work.

2. Construction details

All of the construction we will inform you about this time is floor slab replacement work. In this work, the concrete floor slabs that have been damaged due to deterioration and the increase in the number of large vehicles will be replaced with new, more durable prestressed concrete slabs. In addition, high-performance floor slab waterproofing is applied to the waterproof layer to prevent deterioration of the floor slab.

Construction image photograph

3. Requests when using

1. The construction section will be closed to traffic throughout the day. In some sections, traffic congestion is predicted starting at the construction site, so please leave with plenty of time to spare.
2. Since the lanes and road shoulders are narrow, please observe the speed limit when driving, secure a distance between vehicles, and be careful of rear-end collisions. In addition, lanes will change significantly before and after the restricted section, so please follow the local guidance signs.
3. Vehicles for construction work may enter and leave the area around the construction site, so please be careful when traveling ahead.
4. During the construction period, we will provide traffic congestion information using LED information boards, provide construction regulation information using road information boards and road signs, and call attention to driving safely. Please check this information before driving and drive safely.

Image of information provision image around the construction site

Four. Requests when passing special vehicles

Due to the traffic restrictions, special vehicles exceeding 3.0m in width will not be permitted to pass. Customers are requested to use alternative routes such as surrounding roads.
Also, regarding special vehicle traffic permits ^(*1), please note that if you have only obtained a permit for Expressway, you will also need to obtain a permit for general roads.

1. What is a special vehicle permit?
   This is a permit required by the Road Act and the Vehicle Restrictions Act for special vehicles that exceed general restrictions (length, weight, width, etc.) to travel on public roads.

5. How to obtain Expressway information

• "DraPla", a site full of useful information on Expressway nationwide
  https://www.driveplaza.com/
• Expressway information service "Drive Traffic (DraTra)"
  Real-time information

  https://www.drivetraffic.jp/

  Construction regulation information

  https://www.drivetraffic.jp/construction-regulation
• NEXCO東日本お客さまセンター
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  0570-024-024（ナビダイヤル）または　03-5308-2424
• 日本道路交通情報センター（JARTIC）
  https://www.jartic.or.jp/
  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。
  青森情報　050-3369-6602
  岩手情報　050-3369-6603
  秋田情報　050-3369-6605
  宮城情報　050-3369-6604
  福島情報　050-3369-6607
  東北地方高速情報　050-3369-6761
• LINE Official Account
  We provide information about Expressway under the jurisdiction of NEXCO EAST.

  

• X (formerly Twitter) official account
  “NEXCO EAST (Tohoku) (@e_nexco_tohoku)" distributes Expressway information in the Tohoku region.
• Highway Radio
  Highway Radio (AM 1620 kHz)
  The sections where the message is being broadcast are indicated by signs on Expressway
• VICS
  Road information can be obtained from devices equipped with VICS-compatible car navigation systems.