Breaking News: Major Accident on Keiji Bypass – Traffic Suspended but Now Resumed. How Are Gusto and the Petrol Stations?

There was quite a bit of drama on the Keiji Bypass this morning. Right around the time the morning rush hour was just about to kick off, there seems to have been an accident involving a large truck and a car. The scene was on the section from Kugayama to Kusatsu. I got a message from a mate saying, “It’s completely gridlocked at the moment,” and I thought we were in for a day-long traffic jam.

Major Road Closure Immediately After the Accident

It looks like the northbound lanes from the Kyoto-Minami IC to the Kusatsu-Tanakami IC were completely closed for a while for an investigation. It must have been a serious incident; I heard a helicopter was overhead filming the scene. But by the afternoon, the scene had been cleared and the road closure was lifted. Thanks to the police and fire brigade getting things sorted quickly, at least it didn't drag on into the evening – a small mercy.

Traffic is always heavy around there, even on weekdays, so the congestion lingered for a while after it reopened. It's the usual story – the traffic always gets clogged up around the Gusto Keiji Bypass. And with the accident today, the queue of cars apparently stretched back much further.

How Were the Local Petrol Stations – The Lifelines?

In situations like this, as a driver, you start to worry about running out of fuel or finding a place to stop for a loo break. If you're a regular on the Keiji Bypass, these are the spots you need to know.

• apollostation Keiji Bypass Kusatsu SS (Nishinippon Usami): It’s on the left-hand side heading towards Kusatsu, so using it when you're on the northbound lanes takes a bit of planning. They do fuel and car washes, so it's popular with locals, and plenty of people get on the bypass just to come here.
• ENEOS EneJet Self-Service Station Keiji Bypass (Ito Yusuke Co., Ltd.): This one is on the opposite side, for southbound traffic. It's a 24-hour self-service. It was apparently pretty busy this morning with cars that had been stuck in the traffic diverting here, but it's now back to normal usage.

You might usually just drive past these two, but they're a real lifeline when you need them. On days when something unexpected happens, like today, having apollostation and ENEOS on that stretch is a huge relief.

How Did the Drivers' Pit Stop, Gusto, Fare?

Then there's Gusto Keiji Bypass, pretty much the only rest spot around there. Quite a few drivers seemed to have waited out the road closure there. Someone who passed by the restaurant said the car park was almost full in the morning, with a queue forming outside. It had calmed down by the evening, but I imagine quite a few people were making the most of the drink bar today.

On the Keiji Bypass, there are limited alternative routes, so when an accident happens, the whole area can grind to a halt. I heard that nearby National Route 1 and the prefectural roads were jammed all morning with cars diverting off the bypass. It must have been a real nightmare for local residents today.

Latest Traffic Information and What to Expect

According to those involved, the vehicles involved in the accident have now been removed. There are no specific restrictions in place at any of the Keiji Bypass interchanges either. However, I've heard that road surface inspections and detailed scene investigations are still to be carried out following the accident. If you're driving through tonight, it's probably wise to slow down around the Gusto and the interchange merge points, just to be safe, and keep a good eye on the traffic around you.

Also, petrol stations can get extremely busy on days like this, so both apollostation Keiji Bypass Kusatsu SS and ENEOS EneJet are likely to be congested tonight as the evening fuel-up rush kicks in. If you're not in a hurry, it might be smarter to go early tomorrow morning or late at night.

A huge thank you to the police, fire crews, and highway operators who dealt with the scene today. I just hope that anyone caught up in the accident wasn't too seriously injured.