Endless Traffic Jams on Chinese Highway Lasting Nearly 24 Hours
Viral Traffic Jam at China’s Largest Toll Plaza: Holiday Rush Sparks Massive Congestion
Wuzhuang Toll Plaza Faces Unprecedented Traffic Surge
In China, the Wuzhuang Toll Plaza in Anhui province, known as the largest toll plaza in the country, recently became a scene of intense traffic congestion. Dozens of vehicles were caught in a bottleneck, creating a viral spectacle of red taillights as they lined up to pass through the barriers. This congestion followed an extended holiday period celebrating both the National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival.
Millions Return Home After Extended Celebrations
The convergence of these significant holidays extended the usual break from October 1st to October 8th, prompting millions of travelers to head home simultaneously. This surge led to more than 120,000 vehicles expected at the toll plaza on the holiday’s final day, as reported by the Daily Mail. The resulting traffic jam lasted nearly 24 hours, trapping countless drivers.
Drone Footage Reveals Scale of Traffic Chaos
Drone footage captured the scale of the chaos, showing vehicles sprawling across multiple lanes only to funnel into a four-lane passage at the barriers. The Mid-Autumn Festival is a vital time for family reunions, and its overlap with the National Day intensified travel demands.
Travel Statistics Highlight Growing Holiday Crowds
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism reported that this year’s holiday period saw about 888 million trips conducted, a significant increase from the 765 million trips recorded during the same period last year. Such massive travel volumes underscored the transportation challenges faced during peak holiday rushes.
Memories of Past Traffic Jams Resurface
This latest traffic ordeal at Wuzhuang Toll Plaza brought back memories of previous notorious Chinese traffic jams, such as the 2010 gridlock. On August 14, 2010, a massive jam lasting 12 days occurred on the Beijing-Tibet expressway, leaving thousands stranded due to stalled trucks and overwhelming vehicle numbers over 100 kilometers of roadway.
As holiday travel demands continue to escalate in China, managing such bottlenecks remains a pressing challenge for transportation authorities.
