Business summary
NEXCO EAST is expanding temporary two-lane sections to four lanes with the aim of ensuring time reliability, reducing road closures, and ensuring alternative network options during disasters and heavy snowfall. In addition, to promote the enrichment of local life and the revitalization of the local economy, they are working with local governments to develop additional interchanges and smart interchanges.
Currently, NEXCO EAST is managing Expressway in the Tohoku area, including a project to widen approximately 76 km to four lanes and the construction of seven additional interchanges. (As of August 2025)
Image of construction for expanding to four lanes
The four-lane project will involve widening the section that currently has two-way traffic (one lane on each side) to four lanes (two lanes on each side).
Main benefits of the development
Widening the road to four lanes is expected to have various benefits, including reducing traffic congestion, decreasing traffic accidents, ensuring transportation during large-scale disasters, and securing road space and traffic during heavy snowfall.
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Reduced congestion
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Reduction in traffic accidents
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Securing transportation during large-scale disasters
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Ensuring road space and traffic during heavy snowfall
An example of widening Sendai-Nanbu Road (Imaizumi IC to Nagamachi IC) to four lanes.
(Completed in December 2022)
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[Before the four-lane expansion] Chronic congestion occurred
Nagamachi Interchange, around 8:00 AM, February 2018
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[After the four-lane expansion] Traffic congestion is resolved
Nagamachi Interchange, around 8:00 AM, January 2023