The 62 Mile Long Traffic Jam That Lasted Nine Days

Although traffic has now started to return to normal drivers have had to resort to playing cards, eating from locals who inflated their food prices furthering angering the weary convoy that stretched back into Inner Mongolia.

China has been spending billions on building roads and extending highways which are needed to cope with the growing industry and economic boom taking place within the World’s fastest growing economic powerhouse. Traffic jams like these, although not as bad as this one, are common place nowadays in China. The car has replaced the bicycle and the demand within the capital city Beijing for goods means coal coming in from the Tibet highway has increased exponentially.

The Beijing-Tibet Expressway super jam may be coming to an end but many fear it may return as quickly as it has cleared and could last another month of misery as many smaller cars have overheated and some have crashed, many have simply broken down causing the jam to deteriorate. Drivers however are defiant and have been playing chess, cards and some have demanded small stages be set up on the roadside to entertain weary travellers who are missing their home.

The government has sent 400 police officers to patrol the tailback in case anything gets out of hand or frustrated drivers lose their cool. Basic infrastructure is falling behind the pace of economic growth and the repairs on the highway are essential due to the continuing damage caused by heavy freight using the highway day in day out.