Traffic congestion is forecast on Kyushu expressways during the Obon period, with traffic jams expected to form starting at toll gates such as the Matsuhashi IC. Toll adjustments will be implemented for detours onto the East Kyushu Expressway.

Editor in Chief

2 months ago

In response to the ongoing closures of the Kyushu Expressway between Matsuhashi IC and Ebino IC, and the Minami-Kyushu Expressway between Yatsushiro JCT and Hinagu IC due to the effects of the Reiwa 8 Kumamoto Earthquake, NEXCO West Japan’s Kyushu Branch has revised its traffic congestion forecast for the Obon period.

In particular, traffic congestion is expected at the exits of closed interchanges—such as Matsuhashi IC—as well as on the East Kyushu Expressway and the Oita Expressway, which serve as wide-area detour routes.

Traffic congestion peaked on August 13, with over 10 km (up to 20 km) of congestion on the southbound lanes of the Kyushu Expressway from just past the Chikushino IC to the Koga IC between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m., traffic is expected to stretch over 10 km (up to 15 km) from just past Matsuhashi IC to Kashima JCT between 12:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m., and over 5 km (up to 15 km) from Hirokawa IC to Tosu JCT between 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m., among other sections.

Additionally, if drivers take a detour via the East Kyushu Expressway to bypass the northern and southern sections within the Kyushu Branch’s jurisdiction, tolls will be adjusted so that the total cost does not exceed the standard toll for the Kyushu Expressway, which is currently closed.