Shimokita Expressway
 | |
|---|---|
下北半島縦貫道路 (Shimokita Hantō Jūkandōro) | |
| Route information | |
| Length | 25.3 km[1] (15.7 mi) |
| Major junctions | |
| South end | Noheji Interchange National Route 4 in Tōhoku, Aomori |
| Section 1 | |
| North end | Fukkoshi Interchange National Route 279 inYokohama, Aomori |
| Umbuilt Yokohama-Mutsu Section | |
| Length | 36.1 km[1] (22.4 mi) |
| South end | Fukkoshi Interchange National Route 279 in Yokohama, Aomori |
| North end | Mutsu Interchange National Route 338 in Mutsu, Aomori |
| Location | |
| Country | Japan |
| Highway system | |
The Shimokita Expressway (下北半島縦貫道路, Shimokita Hantō Jūkandōro) is a two-lane national expressway in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. The expressway connects Noheji to the municipalities of Rokkasho, and Yokohama. It is owned and operated by Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and is signed as an auxiliary route of National Route 279, but has no expressway number under their "2016 Proposal for Realization of Expressway Numbering."[2][3]
Route description
The southern terminus of the Shimokita Expressway is at a signaled intersection with National Route 4 in Tōhoku. From here, the expressway immediately loops from a western heading to the northeastern one. Along the short loop it crosses into Noheji, back into Tōhoku, then into Noheji once more after crossing over National Route 4. The expressway then crosses over the Aoimori Railway Line and proceeds north.
From Noheji heading north through the Shimokita Peninsula, the expressway parallels the mainline of National Route 279. After a couple of interchanges, the expressway enters the village, Rokkasho. The expressway's importance in the village is critical due to the presence of multiple nuclear facilities.[4][5]
The expressway heads northeast while in Rokkasho. It crosses into the town of Yokohama where it meets its temporary northern terminus at the main line of National Route 279.
History
- December 16, 1994 - Planning began on the entire route.
- November 26, 2004- The expressway opened to traffic between the Noheji-half and Noheji-kita Interchanges.
- December 2, 2005- The expressway opened to traffic between the current southern terminus at Noheji Interchange and the Noheji-half Interchange.
- November 13, 2012 - The expressway was extended north from Noheji-kita to Rokkasho Interchange.
- November 15, 2017 - The expressway opened to traffic between Rokkasho Interchange and Fukkoshi Interchange.[1]
Future
The government of Aomori Prefecture plans for the Shimokita Expressway to be extended from both its northern terminus at Fukkoshi Interchange and its southern terminus at Noheji Interchange. From Fukkoshi, the expressway is to be extended 36.1 kilometres (22.4 mi) to Mutsu Interchange in the city of Mutsu in the northern part of Aomori. As of January 2018, some of this section is under construction.[1] From Noheji Interchange, the expressway will be extended to a junction with the Kamikita Expressway and Michinoku Toll Road.[6]
Junction list
The entire toll road is in Aomori Prefecture.
| Location | km | mi | Exit | Name | Destinations | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shichinohe | 0 | 0.0 | Tenmabashi[7] | .jpg){kind=small} Kamikita Expressway/ Michinoku Toll Road– Hachinohe, Aomori | The connection between Michinoku Toll Road and Kamikita Expressway is under construction, however this work does not yet include a connection to the Shimokita Expressway. | ||
| Tōhoku | 7 | 4.3 | Noheji | National Route 4– Noheji, Hiranai | Current southern terminus of the expressway. | ||
| Noheji | 13.9 | 8.6 | Noheji-half | Unnamed road | |||
| 20.2 | 12.6 | Noheji-kita | Aomori Prefecture Route 156 – Rokkasho | ||||
| Rokkasho | 26.5 | 16.5 | Rokkasho | Unnamed road– Rokkasho, Mutsu | Provides access to/from nuclear facilities | ||
| Yokohama | 32.3 | 20.1 | Fukkoshi | National Route 279– Mutsu | Current northern terminus of the expressway. | ||
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi
| |||||||
References
- ^ a b c d "下北半島縦貫道路｜青森県庁ウェブサイト Aomori Prefectural Government". www.pref.aomori.lg.jp.
- ^ "General Route 279 Shimokita Peninsula Junction Road notice of "Fukkoshi bypass" opening｜青森県庁ウェブサイト Aomori Prefectural Government" (PDF). www.pref.aomori.lg.jp.
- ^ "Japan's Expressway Numbering System". www.mlit.go.jp.
- ^ Yamaguchi, Mari (17 November 2015). "Fuel reprocessing plant in northern Japan delayed again, to 2018". The Japan Times. Associated Press. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
- ^ "Rokkasho-mura regional plan for disaster prevention" (PDF). www.rokkasho.jp. June 2014. Retrieved 15 January 2018.
- ^ "縦貫道路パンフおもて｜青森県庁ウェブサイト Aomori Prefectural Government" (PDF). www.pref.aomori.lg.jp.
- ^ "県都青森市と八戸市を結ぶ上北自動車道の早期開通に向けて｜website=http://www.jiti.co.jp".
