A major traffic accident on the Shin-Tomei Expressway has caused significant disruptions, leading to the closure of a key segment of the road.
The incident occurred on February 10 at approximately 2:00 PM when a large truck collided with a 4-ton truck inside the Iwanaka-Iwadato Tunnel, located between Okazaki-Higashi Interchange (IC) and Toyota-Higashi Junction (JCT) heading toward Nagoya.
According to NEXCO Central Japan, the section of the expressway between these two points is currently closed. Traffic has been suspended since the accident was reported, and the timeline for reopening remains unclear.
Eyewitness reports and traffic data suggest the larger truck may have lost control before crashing, highlighting concerns about highway safety, especially among heavy vehicles.
An officer from NEXCO remarked, "The Shin-Tomei Expressway is currently closed between Okazaki-Higashi IC and Toyota-Higashi JCT due to the accident," underscoring the operational challenges posed by such incidents.
Recovery efforts are underway, but as of the latest updates, the expected time for the road to reopen has not been determined. They are currently engaged in removing the damaged vehicles and assessing the condition of the roadway to prevent any possible hazards.
Reports indicate the situation might take longer to resolve than initially estimated, with traffic bottlenecks expected to persist as alternate routes become congested.
Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes to avoid the area until traffic dynamics improve and normal operations resume on the expressway.
This accident adds to the increasing number of road incidents being reported across the region, sparking discussions about the need for stricter enforcement of heavy truck regulations and driver training measures to improve road safety.
Authorities will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide necessary updates to the public as they arise, including anticipated reopening times.
Stay tuned for more information as recovery operations progress and safety evaluations are completed.