Chinese authorities are nine days deep in work to detangle a colossal 62-mile traffic jam - ironically caused by roadworks intended to alleviate congestion on one of the country's busiest roads.
Local papers have been moaning that the motorway - part of the Beijing to Tibet "expressway" - needs continual maintenance, due to the damage caused by the thousands of trucks using the stretch daily to import coal and perishable goods into the capital city.
However, the remedial works have seen extreme traffic slowing drivers to the testudinal trot of just two miles each day, the Telegraph reports.
Unbelievably, officials are warning that it is set to last until the middle of September - bad news for any drivers who are in a hurry to get a shift on.
While it's a well-known fact that there are nine million bicycles in Beijing, the capital's drivers are apparently catching up fast.
With China recently overtaking the US to become the world's biggest car manufacturer, the country is already forced to bizarrely restrict Beijing’s drivers - which are due to hit a total of 7 million in 2015. Motorists are restricted to driving one day each week, as prescribed by the final number of their car's plate.
As well as having to pit themselves against the remorseless trickle of the jam itself, drivers are reportedly having to brave locals taking advantage of their captive market by overcharging for provisions.
"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", said one driver.
And while state television has reported that the situation is "basically returning to normal", a parallel road is now said to be suffering a similar fate as people turn off the clogged main route.
