By Akanni Dorcas

In August 2010, drivers on China’s National Highway 110 faced a traffic jam that became the longest in history.

The jam stretched over 100 kilometres (60 miles) and lasted 12 days. Thousands of vehicles moved painfully slowly, covering just one kilometre per day. Some drivers were stuck for up to five days, turning the highway into a giant parking lot.

The traffic jam started on August 14 due to several reasons. The highway had been dealing with heavy congestion for years, with traffic increasing by 40% yearly. By 2010, the number of vehicles using the road was 60% more than it was built to handle. Maintenance work began five days after the jam started, reducing the highway’s capacity by half and worsening the situation.

The coal industry in Inner Mongolia played a big role in the congestion. Coal production had risen sharply, with 602 million tonnes mined and transported in 2009. This was expected to increase to 730 million tonnes in 2010. With not enough railways to transport the coal, heavy trucks overloaded the highways. Some of these trucks, without proper paperwork, tried to avoid inspection points by taking alternate routes, which made the traffic worse. Minor accidents and vehicle breakdowns along the way added to the chaos.

Life on the jammed highway was tough for drivers. Many ran out of food and water during the long waits. Local residents took advantage of the situation by selling items like water, instant noodles, and cigarettes at very high prices. A bottle of water, usually sold for 1 yuan, was sold for 15 yuan. The cost of instant noodles also tripled. Some residents even set up mobile stores on bicycles to sell to stranded drivers.

To fix the situation, authorities took several steps. They allowed more trucks to enter Beijing at night to reduce congestion during the day. Trucking companies were also told to stop operations or use different routes. Officials worked to clear stalled vehicles and improve traffic flow. By August 26, the jam had eased, and traffic between Beijing and Inner Mongolia returned to normal.

Although the jam is now a part of history, the 12 days of gridlock on National Highway 110 remain an unforgettable event.

Vanguard News