Linear Chuo Shinkansen's Partial Completion Pushed Back to 2031

Apr 05, 2024 | News On Japan

TOKYO - JR Central has announced that the completion of some sections of the construction for the "Linear Chuo Shinkansen" in Yamanashi and Nagano prefectures is expected to be delayed until 2031.

JR Central had previously given up on its targeted opening year of 2027 last week, marking the first time the company has set a construction period beyond 2027. According to JR Central's announcement, the construction of the Yamanashi prefecture station and the "Zakoji Overpass" in Iida, Nagano prefecture, is now projected to be completed in 2031.

JR Central revealed on March 29, that it had to abandon its goal of opening in 2027 due to Shizuoka Prefecture's continued refusal to allow construction to begin. All construction work on the Linear project had been scheduled to be completed within 2027, but this is the first time a timeline extending beyond that year has been established.

JR Central estimates that the construction work in Shizuoka could take about ten years, indicating that even if construction could start immediately, the opening would be postponed until 2034 or later. However, with Governor Kawakatsu of Shizuoka Prefecture indicating his intention to resign, there is a growing focus on whether this development could lead to progress in the situation.

Source: NHK

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