NEXCO Central Japan’s Tokyo Branch will carry out construction to add an extra lane at the Ayase Smart IC on the northbound lanes of the Tomei Expressway (E1) between the Yokohama-Machida IC and the Ebina JCT. The project is scheduled to last approximately one and a half years, from late August through late April 2028.
Since an average of 140,000 vehicles pass through this section daily, chronic traffic congestion has been occurring. While construction to add an extra lane near the Yamato Tunnel (closer to Yokohama) is currently underway, the project will also widen the upbound lane near the Ayase Smart IC and add an extra lane there. The construction will be carried out while maintaining six lanes in both directions to minimize disruption to traffic.
The construction period is divided into two phases. From late August through late September, nighttime lane closures (weekdays from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. the following day; Saturdays from 1:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. the following day) will be in effect to allow for lane realignment work. Subsequently, from October 3 through late April 2027, shoulder widening work will be carried out under continuous day-and-night lane-shift restrictions.
They said they would provide details on Step 2 and beyond at a later date.
© Source travel watch