Resilient Expressway

Resilient Expressway Initiatives

We will prepare for large-scale earthquakes and disasters caused by climate change (increasingly severe and frequent typhoons, heavy rains, and heavy snowfall), and quickly restore Expressway after damage. NEXCO EAST Group 's response and adaptability will support a disaster-resistant Expressway network.

Disaster free Expressway network

Even if a part of the Expressway is closed in the event of a disaster, securing the function of the surrounding Expressway will support the flow of people and logistics, and prevent the deterioration of transport functions. In addition, we will support the early recovery of the disaster area.

Construction business

By steadily developing Expressway network, we will ensure alternative routes in the event of a disaster, provide safe, secure, comfortable and convenient Expressway services, and contribute to improving the lives of local communities.

Eliminating missing links (uncompleted sections of road)

We are working to eliminate missing links, primarily in the Tokyo metropolitan area. This is expected to reduce travel times, revitalize local economies, and serve as an emergency transportation route in the event of a disaster. In the Tokyo metropolitan area, the opening of Ken-O Road between Sakai-Furukawa IC and Tsukuba-Chuo IC (2017) and the Tokyo Outer Ring Road between Misato Minami IC and Takaya JCT (2018) has connected Kan-Etsu Expressway to the Higashi-Kanto Expressway via multiple routes, improving convenience. We are currently working on the construction of Ken-O Road and the Tokyo Outer Ring Road. Eliminating missing links is expected to reduce travel times, revitalize local economies, and serve as an emergency transportation route in the event of a disaster.

Image of the interior of the Shodo Tunnel between Kamariya JCT and Totsuka IC on the Yokohama Circular South Line (Ken-O Road) — Yokohama Circular South Line (Ken-O Road) Kamariya JCT to Totsuka IC Shodo Tunnel

Image of Daiei JCT Ken-O Road to Matsuo Yokoshiba IC — Ken-O Road Daiei JCT ~ Matsuo Yokoshiba IC Daiei JCT

4-lane provisional 2-lane section

We are systematically expanding the road to four lanes from the perspective of ensuring time reliability, preventing accidents, and ensuring alternative network features. Expanding to four lanes is expected to eliminate and alleviate congestion, prevent serious accidents such as vehicles running into the opposite lane, and reduce road closures due to maintenance and repair work or accidents. In addition, because it will also help ensure time reliability and ensure traffic functions during disasters and heavy snowfall, we are systematically expanding to four lanes and working to improve functionality for safety and security.

Image of mitigating speed reductions due to traffic congestion

Image of prevention of getting stuck due to snow

Image of securing transportation in the event of a large-scale disaster

Image of the area around the Hoshuzan Tunnel between Mikawa IC and Yasuda IC Ban-Etsu Expressway Expressway — Ban-Etsu Expressway Mikawa IC to Yasuda IC, near Hoshuzan Tunnel

Image of the area from Tomamu IC to Tokachi-Shimizu IC on Doto Expressway to the Penkeotasoy River Bridge and Hirouchi Tunnel — Tomamu IC Doto Expressway- Tokachi-Shimizu IC, Penkeotasoy River Bridge - Hirouchi Tunnel area

Smart IC installation

In order to make effective use of existing Expressway and promote the enrichment of local life and the revitalization of local economies, we are promoting the construction of smart ICs in various regions that can be introduced at low cost and limit access to ETC-equipped vehicles only.

Image of Ken-O Road Tsukuba-Nishi Smart IC

Examples of initiatives

Maximizing network effects

Construction of new sections	84.7km
4-lane provisional 2-lane section	231.2km

Disaster prevention work plan and implementation of disaster prevention work

To protect Expressway from disasters such as Expressway and to fulfill their social role, we have established a Disaster Prevention Work Plan and detailed rules for implementing it. Based on this, we are collecting and providing information in the event of a disaster through the development of information systems and the operation of Hakofuta, as well as ensuring safety and carrying out restoration work. *Disaster Prevention Work Plan・ NEXCO EAST Japan, a designated public institution under the Disaster Countermeasures Basic Act, has published a Disaster Prevention Work Plan aimed at building disaster-resistant roads.

Disaster prevention work plan / national protection work plan

Disaster prevention operations overview

Disaster prevention system and emergency gathering
Securing emergency road functions, etc.
Passage traffic regulations
Disaster drills and in-house training
Support cooperation system
Prepare for disaster
Information collection contact system
PR activities

emergency training

To ensure the safety and security of our customers on Expressway, NEXCO EAST conducts emergency headquarters operation training in the event of an accident or disaster, as well as practical training in cooperation with related organizations. The photo on the right shows a comprehensive disaster prevention training exercise held at the Kan-etsu Tunnel on Kan-Etsu Expressway on October 6, 2011.

Lifesaving support

In order to support emergency lifesaving activities in the event of a disaster, we have established a lifesaving support helipad and conduct training with related organizations.

Maintenance of lifesaving support heliport

To ensure the rapid transport of injured people and the implementation of swift disaster response measures in the event of a disaster, we have established "lifesaving support heliports" for helicopter takeoffs and landings at 15 service areas in Hokkaido, Miyagi, Fukushima, Gunma, and other prefectures, and we also conduct takeoff and landing training within the toll gate grounds.