Chinese Mega Traffic Jam Begins to Clear

Contrary to what Chinese authorities were expecting, the huge traffic jam which crippled the expressway that links Beijing to Huai'an in Heibei Province in China has begun to clear up, with the traffic returning to normal on Tuesday.

According to state television network CCTV cited by The New York Times, the traffic conditions have much improved since the jam began on August 14. The line of cars has however been shifted to the Mongolia border where, according to state officials, a big line of trucks is still waiting for permission to enter the expressway.

The traffic jam lasted for about ten days, with the line of cars waiting to escape the ordeal exceeding 100 km (60 miles) in length. The traffic jam was caused by the precarious infrastructure, who failed under the strain of an increasing number of trucks which had traveled on it in recent months..

The National Expressway 110 (G110) is open to trucks with a carrying capacity of eight tons and above. Because of the increasing strain, the pavement gave way, causing potholes. Together with repair works, the potholes were enough to cause the monstrous jam.

People living in nearby towns have had the most to gain from the experience, with crowds of ad hoc merchants storming the expressway to offer food and other goods at an extra price. According to some drivers, some of those merchants even became violent at times.

“The sellers come offering to sell water at crazy prices, but if you said ‘no’ or complained about the price they threaten to break your shields,” a driver was quoted as saying by The Telegraph.