If there were a competition for the world’s worst traffic jam, several thousand drivers on China’s route 307 would have been able to offer themselves up as contenders this week after a 10-day, 96km snarl-up left them stranded in driving rain and searing heat.
Roadworks and a sharp increase in traffic volume were blamed for the tailback, which stretched across the provinces of Hubei and Shanxi until it was finally cleared after a five-day police operation.
Even by the standards of China — where one- or two-day jams are not uncommon on the most remote rural roads — the congestion between Jiuguan in Shanxi and Luquan in Hubei made headlines in many newspapers.
Hundreds of trucks, many laden with perishable produce, were unable to move after rain triggered a mudslide that blocked a side road off route 307, which subsequently clogged up with vehicles unable to retrace their route.
”Since the roadworks began two months ago, there have been a succession of terrible traffic jams,” noted the Yenzhao Metro News.
The traffic ministry told motorists to keep looking on the bright side. In two months, the roadworks will be finished. – Guardian Unlimited Â