Current State of Expressways

Accelerated Aging of Expressways

About 3,871 kilometers of expressways in total length managed by NEXCO EAST (as of the end of March, 2017) including Tohoku Expressway, Joban Expressway, and others have been in operation for over 30 years. The aging and deterioration of those expressways are prominent. The speed of the aging, especially, is rapidly accelerating due to the recent increase in the volume of large-sized vehicles and the total weight of vehicles in general and the spraying of antifreeze.

Transition of Expressways over Years

As the graphs show,​ in 2030 about 80% of the roads will have been in use for over 30 years since their opening.

  • 2015

  • 2030年

Factors contributing to the aging

In addition to the years that have passed, the increase in the volume of large-sized vehicles and the total weight of vehicles in general and the spraying of antifreeze are the factors contributing to the rapidly accelerated aging of the roads.​ 

  • The increase in the number of large-sized traffic and in the overall weight of traffic
  • Vehicles violating weight limits
  • Spraying of antifeeze (salt)
  • Aftermath of brief, abnormal rainfall (torrential rain)
  • Severe natural environment along the coasts
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