This thread is about:

Roads 道路
Highways/expressways 自動車専用道路
Bridges 橋

etc.

OKINAWA - National Highway Route 58
the longest road in the prefecture.. supposed to be a continuation of the highway from Kyushu, but there's no bridge :lol:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2165/2417592827_cfb5560682_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennfitz2/2417592827/)
58 road sign (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennfitz2/2417592827/) by Cream & 2 sugars (http://www.flickr.com/people/jennfitz2/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2418/2475207229_b9b116a520_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennfitz2/2475207229/)
58 street (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennfitz2/2475207229/) by Cream & 2 sugars (http://www.flickr.com/people/jennfitz2/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2267/1781799678_a1c9b3d592_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennfitz2/1781799678/)
58 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennfitz2/1781799678/) by Cream & 2 sugars (http://www.flickr.com/people/jennfitz2/), on Flickr

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/28/96344044_b72c5dcce5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ahsup/96344044/)
route 58 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ahsup/96344044/) by ahsup (http://www.flickr.com/people/ahsup/), on Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3198/2620036644_22b311c0c0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pict_u_re/2620036644/)
driving, route58, naha, okinawa 車窓より・58号線・那覇・沖縄 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pict_u_re/2620036644/) by pictureTYO (http://www.flickr.com/people/pict_u_re/), on Flickr

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/60/207086047_e1287eb7fa_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvincenty/207086047/)
Naha Train (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvincenty/207086047/) by A L Vincenty (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvincenty/), on Flickr

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/114/295335104_c6292ce93f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvincenty/295335104/)
Route 58 to Okuma (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alvincenty/295335104/) by A L Vincenty (http://www.flickr.com/people/alvincenty/), on Flickr

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/41/115130734_8242302503_z.jpg?zz=1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/internet-okinawa/115130734/)
Meiji Bridge looking North on Highway 58 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/internet-okinawa/115130734/) by Internet-Okinawa.com (http://www.flickr.com/people/internet-okinawa/), on Flickr

Thanks! They should make a huge bridge to kyushu :lol:

Bridges in Okinawa Prefecture

Ikema Bridge (connects Miyako Island to Ikema Island)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2755/4388334541_8ffcd924ba_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/masamune/4388334541/)
Ikema bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/masamune/4388334541/) by ( ´_ゝ`) Sho (http://www.flickr.com/people/masamune/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2642/4033442494_c36736726b_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kemararia/4033442494/)
IKEMA BRIDGE (http://www.flickr.com/photos/kemararia/4033442494/) by kemararia (http://www.flickr.com/people/kemararia/), on Flickr

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1297/1392473750_0262556cac_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tetsumarusets72157594384282627show/1392473750/)
Ikema bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tetsumarusets72157594384282627show/1392473750/) by headpipe (http://www.flickr.com/people/tetsumarusets72157594384282627show/), on Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3363/3524352741_f955ee82b4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hardcore100/3524352741/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hardcore100/3524352741/) by hardcore100 (http://www.flickr.com/people/hardcore100/), on Flickr

Kurima Bridge - Connects Miyako Island to Kurima

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/5019017836_d1f3529c4e_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dadadayo/5019017836/)
Kurima Bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dadadayo/5019017836/) by dadadayo (http://www.flickr.com/people/dadadayo/), on Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3561/3482960278_e60be2cd64_z.jpg?zz=1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/j9/3482960278/)
View from Kurima (http://www.flickr.com/photos/j9/3482960278/) by j9 (http://www.flickr.com/people/j9/), on Flickr

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/104/297098768_6174f709c2_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/airmanscafe/297098768/)
kurima bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/airmanscafe/297098768/) by airman's cafe (http://www.flickr.com/people/airmanscafe/), on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4082/4770476943_96d017cea7_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cellejay/4770476943/)
On the Kurima bridge (http://www.flickr.com/photos/cellejay/4770476943/) by cellejay (http://www.flickr.com/people/cellejay/), on Flickr

Okinawa Island's 海中道路 (middle of ocean highway) not one but several bridges that connect mainland Okinawa to several smaller islands by the coast

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4134/4903420687_bfaf8995de_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dorthan-pan/4903420687/)
海中道路 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/dorthan-pan/4903420687/) by Mr. Dorthan™ (http://www.flickr.com/people/dorthan-pan/), on Flickr

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5266/5656066494_a66b3b9d22_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/indypoon/5656066494/)
海中道路 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/indypoon/5656066494/) by Indy(922-OWL) (http://www.flickr.com/people/indypoon/), on Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3035/3005433184_713ea84c79_z.jpg?zz=1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/akira_1972/3005433184/)
columns, arms and eyes (http://www.flickr.com/photos/akira_1972/3005433184/) by Akira ASKR (http://www.flickr.com/people/akira_1972/), on Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/3603529897_30747b61c4_z.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hsuyo/3603529897/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/hsuyo/3603529897/) by hsuyo (http://www.flickr.com/people/hsuyo/), on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4394320711_51f9f63cb0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fomalhaut/4394320711/)
20100220-_NDC9251 浜比嘉島と海中道路 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/fomalhaut/4394320711/) by Fomal Haut (http://www.flickr.com/people/fomalhaut/), on Flickr

Quake area highways to be toll-free for victims from Monday
http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/quake-area-highways-to-be-toll-free-for-victims-from-monday
TOKYO — Victims of the March earthquake and evacuees from the nuclear plant crisis will be able to use toll highways free of charge from midnight Sunday in the disaster-stricken northeastern region.

Along with the move, the operators of highways in other areas will end Sunday campaigns offering big holiday discounts or making sections of the highways toll-free so authorities can allocate the money spent on the measures to postdisater reconstruction.

Metropolitan Expressway Yokohama Loop Route North Line tunnel work

This is an ~8.2 km addition to the Metropolitan Expressway network connecting Kōhoku JCT (Dai-San Keihin Road) and Namamugi JCT (Yokohane Line) currently under construction, including ~5.9 km in tunnels (~5.5 km is bored). After completion the journey from Shin-Yokohama to Haneda Airport will drop from 40 minutes to 30 minutes. Completion is scheduled for 2016.

Some pics (2011.07.05):
Source: http://www2.response.jp/ (http://www2.response.jp/article/2011/07/05/159011.html)

This particular section is 30 m belowground

http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/6812/346289.jpg

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/4417/346290.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/7492/346291.jpg

Crossing underneath the Yokohama Subway Blue Line

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/7369/346292.jpg

Future location of a ventilation tower. The panels at left are temporary.

http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/5729/346293.jpg

Upper portion of the rear of the TBM. Excavated dirt comes out of the large pipe at center, falling onto the orange conveyor belt to be transported out of the tunnel. The TBM progresses about 12 m a day.

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/4938/346294.jpg

http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/4686/346295.jpg

Lower portion of the shield machine.

http://img268.imageshack.us/img268/9669/346296.jpg

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/9205/346297.jpg

Lower portion of the shield machine, looking towards the rear.

http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/3069/346298.jpg

http://img830.imageshack.us/img830/1046/346299.jpg

http://img52.imageshack.us/img52/1496/346300.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/6586/346301.jpg

http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/9646/346302.jpg

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/8570/346303.jpg

Kanagawa Shimbun video (2011.07.05):

xXB4LUBU_Vk

hello, I was "walking" in Osaka using streetview and I notice that they are working on the Shorenji river in Osaka. The river is completely dry out for the work. By looking on internet it seems that they are building a new expressway (and above some parks). Do you have any information on this project?

Sorry I don't speak Japanese and it's hard to find information in english.

Thanks! They should make a huge bridge to kyushu :lol:

A bridge connecting Okinawa to the Japanese mainland will only happen after 100 years I guess.

We'll be all dead by then though :(

Anyways:
Here's some amazing videos of driving in Japan........while breaking the speed limit

R_JHmJk6kmE
UrGGhOnKZ2o
yLV7K8wCPyE
LG_PqYnoWcM

Keep left: Police plan one-way signs for cyclists
http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20110721p2a00m0na013000c.html
The National Police Agency (NPA) revealed plans on July 21 for signs designating one-way lanes for bicycles, forcing cyclists to travel on sidewalks only on the left side of roadways, and on the left side of cycling paths.

The plan is intended to reduce head-on collisions, but is also meant to attract attention to the need for bicycle-only lanes on Japan's roads. The new signs are scheduled to start going up within the year.

Under the Road Traffic Law, if cyclists are riding on the road they are required to keep to the left side, or to the left side bike lane -- demarcated by white lines -- of roads that have them. However, there is no such requirement for riding on sidewalks or bike lanes separated from sidewalks and roads by a curb or fence.

According to the NPA, the public safety commissions in Tokyo and other prefectures will decide where the one-way cycle signs are to be installed and will forbid two-way bike traffic on those routes. Cyclists caught riding in the wrong direction could be sentenced to up to three months in prison or handed up to 50,000 yen fine. The NPA is requesting comments from the public on the plan be submitted between July 22 and Aug. 20.

Collision risk rises significantly when cyclists ride in opposite directions on the same sidewalk or bike path. Moreover, pedestrians are forced to watch for bicycles coming from both in front and behind. In 2010, there were 2,760 collisions between cyclists and pedestrians recorded -- 1.5 times more than in 2000. The number of crashes between cyclists was 1.6 times greater than a decade before, at 3,796 incidents. Furthermore, while more than 50 percent of all bicycle accidents involve bumping into cars, motorcycles or other bicycles in passing, experts say that many of these are caused by two-way traffic.

In 2008, the NPA and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism began establishing bicycle lanes on roads and bicycle right-of-ways on sidewalks in 98 test districts across the country. However, as these bike lanes must be wide enough for two-way traffic, there have been some routes in the test areas where they couldn't be established for lack of space.

"Results show a marked decrease in accidents in the test areas," the program head at the NPA told the Mainichi. "If we put up one-way cycling signs, then establishing cycling roads will be much easier." However, as the new regulation may cause trouble for cyclists, its implementation may draw significant opposition.


http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/images/20110721p2a00m0na015000p_size5.jpg
The new one-way signs for cyclists set to start going up around the country this year. (Images courtesy of the NPA)

新湊大橋（富山県射水市）
Shin-Minato Bridge (Imizu City, Toyama Prefecture)

http://img850.imageshack.us/img850/4471/img8478v.jpg

http://img12.imageshack.us/img12/6130/img8474dq.jpg

http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/2101/img8461d.jpg

http://img233.imageshack.us/img233/738/img8458k.jpg

http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/1543/img8509n.jpg

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/5779/img8519v.jpg

Source: http://saitoshika.blog119.fc2.com/ (http://saitoshika.blog119.fc2.com/blog-entry-1113.html)

Here's some of my favorite Japanese Highway pix..

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/87/276022325_4b703ffef7_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/eesti/276022325/)
sign (http://www.flickr.com/photos/eesti/276022325/) by eesti (http://www.flickr.com/people/eesti/), on Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3345/4644837542_6c72882ab2_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/degi-ichi/4644837542/)
Fujieda - Shizuoka (http://www.flickr.com/photos/degi-ichi/4644837542/) by pablo808 (http://www.flickr.com/people/degi-ichi/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2803/4412936067_f0cab3c8d5_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/shibuya246/4412936067/)
Yamate Tunnel Walk, Tokyo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/shibuya246/4412936067/) by shibuya246 (http://www.flickr.com/people/shibuya246/), on Flickr

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1039/692852984_ba01b78696_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/meanderingmouse/692852984/)
Tokyo, Japan Highway Signs (http://www.flickr.com/photos/meanderingmouse/692852984/) by meanderingmouse (http://www.flickr.com/people/meanderingmouse/), on Flickr

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1027/1264289668_87ac30781b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/elharley/1264289668/)
DSC_2123.JPG (http://www.flickr.com/photos/elharley/1264289668/) by elharley (http://www.flickr.com/people/elharley/), on Flickr

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/63/188517039_e813dc9b8c_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gorimon/188517039/)
060604_044 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/gorimon/188517039/) by GORIMON (http://www.flickr.com/people/gorimon/), on Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3373/3595493982_a67a885e86_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stonez/3595493982/)
R0014070 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stonez/3595493982/) by stonez+ (http://www.flickr.com/people/stonez/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2358/1966805444_9624c522e2.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20013727@N02/1966805444/)
daikoku02 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/20013727@N02/1966805444/) by Ken OHYAMA (http://www.flickr.com/people/20013727@N02/), on Flickr

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/124/354947378_9ed8dcb136_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jannem/354947378/)
Highway canal (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jannem/354947378/) by JanneM (http://www.flickr.com/people/jannem/), on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/4868217473_eeef57e631_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sanderh/4868217473/)
Tokio Bay - Highway (http://www.flickr.com/photos/sanderh/4868217473/) by Sander Hengeveld (http://www.flickr.com/people/sanderh/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2179/2198153969_79acdb4f52_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/natadena/2198153969/)
highway&fuji (http://www.flickr.com/photos/natadena/2198153969/) by natadena (http://www.flickr.com/people/natadena/), on Flickr

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/175/418129946_0cee05bf87_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnmcga/418129946/)
Weird tollbooth thing (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnmcga/418129946/) by johnmcga (http://www.flickr.com/people/johnmcga/), on Flickr

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1277/692843020_5d5bff0493_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/meanderingmouse/692843020/)
Tokyo Toll Booth (http://www.flickr.com/photos/meanderingmouse/692843020/) by meanderingmouse (http://www.flickr.com/people/meanderingmouse/), on Flickr

Do you like highways? I don't really like the highways in Tokyo because alot of them cover the nice rivers.

Do you like highways? I don't really like the highways in Tokyo because alot of them cover the nice rivers.

I do :)

One of my favorites is the K2 Kariba route which connects to Yokohane as well as the Ken-O expressway.

I actually have a lot of favorite roads, expressways and motorways that I like that are in Japan :)

The only thing that I don't like is the 100 km/h which bores me to death. Thankfully, some police don't care and once in a while, some locals post the locations of the speed traps and cameras.

The vids that I posted here feature street racing as well as touge/mountain drifters from all over Japan. Amazing stuff IMHO :)

Do you like highways? I don't really like the highways in Tokyo because alot of them cover the nice rivers.

I like your roads and highways more then your Railway system for some reason.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4002/4266257788_f5daf69e2d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/oimax/4266257788/)
Toll Gate (http://www.flickr.com/photos/oimax/4266257788/) by OiMax (http://www.flickr.com/people/oimax/), on Flickr

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/186/418130042_c21a1269bb_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnmcga/418130042/)
Main road in Tokyo (http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnmcga/418130042/) by johnmcga (http://www.flickr.com/people/johnmcga/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2676/3804177598_3ac172446c_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryoku52/3804177598/)
japanese highway (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ryoku52/3804177598/) by ryoku52 (http://www.flickr.com/people/ryoku52/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2020/2273244369_fe443c6375_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pict_u_re/2273244369/)
Metropolitan Expressway (Shuto Expressway) 首都高速道路 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pict_u_re/2273244369/) by pictureTYO (http://www.flickr.com/people/pict_u_re/), on Flickr

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/141/374463010_1b1ccdff23_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/m-louis/374463010/)
Shinmidosuji, Osaka (http://www.flickr.com/photos/m-louis/374463010/) by m-louis (http://www.flickr.com/people/m-louis/), on Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3457/3933734902_dc4aec315a_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/yamashirokazuya/3933734902/)
midnight highway bus, Sep. 19, 2009 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/yamashirokazuya/3933734902/) by Yoidore (http://www.flickr.com/people/yamashirokazuya/), on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4457710094_1800c7fa1e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27889738@N07/4457710094/)
Another Slope to Yamate Tunnel (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27889738@N07/4457710094/) by ykanazawa1999 (http://www.flickr.com/people/27889738@N07/), on Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3411/3494499933_a331a63b47_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/31068017@N07/3494499933/)
Chūgoku Expressway near Chūgoku-Toyonaka IC in Toyonaka,Osaka,Japan 2009/5/2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/31068017@N07/3494499933/) by special-rapid223 (http://www.flickr.com/people/31068017@N07/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2358/2407881938_a47c79293f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/timtram/2407881938/)
Hanshin Expressway (http://www.flickr.com/photos/timtram/2407881938/) by timtram (http://www.flickr.com/people/timtram/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2434/3582848253_38a7023360_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisjongkind/3582848253/)
Tokyo 1618 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisjongkind/3582848253/) by tokyoform (http://www.flickr.com/people/chrisjongkind/), on Flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2369/2440146165_1e9f18dca0_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/maynard/2440146165/)
cherry blossoms #5735 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/maynard/2440146165/) by Nemo's great uncle (http://www.flickr.com/people/maynard/), on Flickr

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3052/2548996051_c3080ed8e5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninnin2007/2548996051/)
Metropolitan expressway divergence (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninnin2007/2548996051/) by ninnin (http://www.flickr.com/people/ninnin2007/), on Flickr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4065/4337218176_05702fdb60_z.jpg?zz=1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bencnh/4337218176/)
bayshore route (http://www.flickr.com/photos/bencnh/4337218176/) by Ben* (http://www.flickr.com/people/bencnh/), on Flickr

Expressway operators to tie-up to invest in overseas projects
http://www.asahi.com/english/TKY201109030182.html
Five Japanese expressway operators announced they have established a joint venture to invest in expressway projects abroad.

East Nippon Expressway Co., Central Nippon Expressway Co., West Nippon Expressway Co., Metropolitan Expressway Co. and Hanshin Expressway Co., jointly set up the Japan Expressway International Co., based in Tokyo, on Sept. 1.

The companies will provide know-how they have acquired though their individual overseas business.

^^ Cool Expressway ...

Traffic Into Tohoku Up On Weekdays, Down On Weekends
TOKYO (Nikkei)--Weekday traffic on roads connecting the Tohoku region with neighboring parts of Japan's main island was up 7% on the year in the second half of August amid brisk movement of reconstruction supplies, the Transport Ministry reported Monday.

An average of 150,600 cars and trucks a day traveled between Tohoku and the Kanto region and Niigata Prefecture on weekdays from Aug. 17 to Aug. 31. But weekend traffic was down 10% on the year as sightseeing and other leisure activity remained depressed. Traffic around eight major Tohoku tourist attractions fell 4% from a year earlier during the Bon holiday period.

More: http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20110912D1209N01.htm

中央環状品川線
Central Circular Route, Shinagawa Section

1eqwrt0T6gA

Tokyo police to strictly apply traffic rules against cyclists to reduce accidents
http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20111019p2a00m0na022000c.html
The Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department has decided to urge cyclists to ride in the left lanes of roads and will strictly crack down on people who do not obey traffic rules and ride on sidewalks, in a desperate effort to combat an increasing number of accidents involving bicycles and pedestrians.

Tokyo police, who have not actively conducted a strict crackdown on cyclists for riding on sidewalks in the past, started working out comprehensive safety measures for cyclists, the first of their kind in the country, which would include steps to require cyclists to strictly abide by rules as well as plans to improve road conditions for bicycle-riding.

There are currently a total of nine kilometers of bicycle lanes in 13 locations and a total of 37 kilometers of color-coded paved sidewalks in 40 locations in the capital. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department have decided to create additional lanes in 10 locations spanning 31 kilometers within three years.

More: http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20111019p2a00m0na022000c.html

New expressway toll-free program for disaster-hit Tohoku to start Dec 1
TOKYO — The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism said Monday that a new toll-free program for expressways in the disaster-hit Tohoku region will go into effect on Dec 1.

Tolls will be abolished for all vehicles on both weekdays and weekends. The program will end on March 31, 2012, the ministry said on its website.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/national/view/new-expressway-toll-free-program-for-disaster-hit-tohoku-to-start-dec-1

Shuto Expressway switches to distance-based tolling:

cQ4shaaZ41c

sViRtSpDifs

Japan's new Shin Tomei highway to be ready by 2020
SHIZUOKA, Japan: A new expressway linking Japan's major cities is being built and will be ready by 2020.

The Shin Tomei highway will not only improve the convenience of road travel, it will also be an asset in the event of a major earthquake.

The Tomei Expressway connects two of Japan's biggest cities, Tokyo and Nagoya. It runs for 346.8 kilometres, but it is often congested. Construction of a new highway - the Shin Tomei - began in 1993.

Running parallel to Tomei Expressway, it is expected to boost economic activity by 7 trillion yen or US$90 billion in 50 years.

Atsushi Muramatsu, division director of the Road Planning Division in the Shizuoka Prefectural Government, said: "Tomei runs along the coastline. This one is running (in the) inland area. It is resistant to the predicted Tokai Earthquake. So I think the double network is an asset."

The longest tunnel, which runs for 4.7 kilometres, has lights that make it as bright as day. Mr Sato said: "We have installed the latest technologies such as the ceramic metal highlight, LED lights, to improve the view." Engineers said the key to better visibility is to light the road not from the top, but from the side.

Power comes from solar panels, reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

But, according to the road company, it is the unconventional method used in constructing the road that has impressed people overseas. Hiromichi Yamada from the Shizuoka Construction Office at the Central Nippon Expressway Company, said: "Shin Tomei's road bed is double-layered, below is cement, on top is asphalt..." And it is this double support that makes the road more durable.

The 162-kilometre area within Shizuoka is expected to open by the middle of next year, and the whole 255 kilometres will be opened by 2020.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/eastasia/view/1174971/1/.html

Do you have any idea of how many lanes in each side this expressway will have?

I'm not sure, probably 2.

Central Japan Expressway to launch fixed-rate pass for foreign tourists
NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- Central Nippon Expressway Co. said Thursday it will offer a fixed-rate toll pass for foreign tourists on parts of its expressways in central Japan in a bid to promote tourism in the region.

The all-you-can-ride pass, which will be valid for up to seven days between March 21 and June 30, will be sold for 7,000 yen for the Japan Alps route across Nagano, Aichi and Gifu prefectures, and 9,000 yen for the Sea of Japan route across Toyama, Fukui, Shiga, Gifu and Aichi prefectures.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/travel/news/20120120p2g00m0dm124000c.html

Media get first look from new Tokyo Gate Bridge
Reporters got a sneak preview on Jan. 24 of the panoramic view of Tokyo’s central areas offered from a distinctive bridge in Tokyo Bay, scheduled to open to traffic and pedestrians on Feb. 12.

They could see Tokyo Sky Tree and Tokyo Tower in the distance, along with skyscrapers in the coastal area, from a sidewalk on Tokyo Gate Bridge.

The bridge, which links Wakasu district in Koto Ward with the central breakwater, features a unique shape, which resembles two dinosaurs facing each other.

Located at a height of 87.8 meters, it is 2,618 meters long, of which 1,618 meters are above the sea. It is longer than the 798-meter Rainbow Bridge, also in Tokyo Bay, the 860-meter Yokohama Bay Bridge and the 1,020-meter Tsurumi Tsubasa Bridge, also in Yokohama.

Tokyo Gate Bridge has four lanes, and a walkway is set up on the northern side of the bridge. From there, pedestrians can see ships sailing below them, and high-rise buildings in the Odaiba and Toyosu districts in the coastal area. As the bridge is a general road, passing over it by car or on foot is free of charge.

The opening of Tokyo Gate Bridge to traffic will make it possible to drive the entire 8-km Tokyoko Rinkai Doro (Tokyo Port seafront road), which includes the bridge and links Koto Ward’s Wakasu district with Jonanjima, an artificial island in Ota Ward.

The road is expected to serve as a bypass for Tokyo Wangan Doro (Tokyo Bay coast road), a main transportation artery, which is often jammed with vehicles.

More: http://ajw.asahi.com/article/behind_news/social_affairs/AJ201201260005

http://dwqovw6qi0vie.cloudfront.net/article-imgs/en/2012/01/26/AJ201201260005/AJ201201260006.jpg

http://dwqovw6qi0vie.cloudfront.net/article-imgs/en/2012/01/26/AJ201201260005/AJ201201260007.jpg

Japan testing traffic lights for colour-blind drivers
The signals have been developed by Taro Ochiai, a professor at Kyushu Sangyo University, with the first set of traffic lights installed in the southern city of Fukuoka. A second month-long test is to be started in Tokyo before the end of February.

Drivers with perfect vision will hardly notice the pink X that is set within the red signal, particularly from a distance, but red-green colour-blind divers are able to easily distinguish the contrasting blue X against a background that they perceive as being yellow. Research shows that the mark is clear even from a distance.

Colour-blindness affects around 8 per cent of males and 0.5 per cent of females, with most people with the condition experiencing problems differentiating between red and green.

More: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/9069236/Japan-testing-traffic-lights-for-colour-blind-drivers.html

The 3 Major Japanese metropolitan area expressway loop road projects:

Tokyo - The largest loop the Ken-O will be 300km, 109.8km is currently constructed all of it should be completed by 2015/2016. It will be the longest loop road in the world.

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss106/AhoChaudeJP/My%20Construction/kanto.jpg

Osaka - the largest loop will be about 200km, it is not sure when it will be completed since some sections are still under study.

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss106/AhoChaudeJP/My%20Construction/kansai.jpg

Nagoya - The largest loop road Tōkai-Kanjō will be 160km, 76km is currently constructed and it should open in 2020.

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss106/AhoChaudeJP/My%20Construction/tokai.jpg
http://www.mlit.go.jp/road/ringroads/domestic/

Key: Solid red: Constructed, Dotted solid red: U/C, Open Squares: Under Study

Here is a link on all the info for Tokyo including the sections u/c and when they will be completed: http://www.ktr.mlit.go.jp/honkyoku/road/3kanjo/progress/index.htm

Tokyo Gate Opens as Tokyo Tackles Traffic Jams From Rising Population
Tokyo’s “Dinosaur Bridge” opens to vehicles this weekend after 10 years of construction as the world’s largest metropolis tackles traffic jams that slow vehicles to half of Japan’s average highway speed.

The 2,618-meter (1.6-mile) bridge, whose nickname derives from its shape, will bring 19 billion yen ($246 million) in economic benefits a year as it almost halves journey times to container terminals in Tokyo Bay, the government estimates. Built at an estimated cost of 113 billion yen, it’s forecast to carry about 32,000 vehicles a day between eastern Tokyo and a man-made island, where a new container terminal is being built.

The four-lane bridge will be followed by a ring road and two larger loop lines around Japan’s capital. The improvements, spurred by the city’s unsuccessful bid to host the 2016 Olympics, are intended to cut traffic jams in and around the metropolis of more than 35 million people.

“The new bridge will ease congestion in the whole waterfront area,” said Shinichi Ishii, a senior consultant for public management and strategy at Nomura Research Institute Inc. “There is a premium on the value of time in the area, and the economic impact could be two or three times more than government estimates.”

More: http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-09/dinosaur-bridge-leads-tokyo-push-to-ease-traffic-boost-economy.html

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss106/AhoChaudeJP/My%20Construction/iaHzgxDRb7do.jpg

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss106/AhoChaudeJP/My%20Construction/ijGbpxQ_DsgY.jpg

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss106/AhoChaudeJP/My%20Construction/im1heK7_WrxM.jpg

http://i566.photobucket.com/albums/ss106/AhoChaudeJP/My%20Construction/ioOqVK0FEoVk.jpg

oh the bridge so very high :o

The bridge is open now.

Nikkei has a video on its construction: http://www.nikkei.com/video/?bclid=67379759001&bctid=920118998001&scrl=1

Some pictures in their article: http://www.nikkei.com/news/headline/article/g=96958A9C93819499E3E0E2E2E58DE3E0E2E0E0E2E3E0E2E2E2E2E2E2

More: http://www.nikkei.com/news/headline/related-article/g=96958A9C93819695E0E4E2E1EA8DE0EAE2E3E0E2E3E09191E2E2E2E2;bm=96958A9C93819499E3E0E2E2E58DE3E0E2E0E0E2E3E0E2E2E2E2E2E2

^ This article explains the good view from the bridge. It has a panoramic view of Tokyo

From Umi no Mori you can see it:

http://blogimg.goo.ne.jp/user_image/60/4c/1cce4c4a40a129baa03272b713f4d197.jpg
http://blog.goo.ne.jp/waspring/e/d51ede509cee1ba9b4fc015019acfb2b

More

http://tokyo-sky-tree.up.seesaa.net/image/20120212_4.JPG

View from the bridge

http://tokyo-sky-tree.up.seesaa.net/image/20120212_3.JPG
http://tokyo-sky-tree.seesaa.net/

Tokyo police to strictly apply traffic rules against cyclists to reduce accidents
http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20111019p2a00m0na022000c.html

Police caution more than 10,000 in Tokyo for breaking new bicycle rules
TOKYO —
Police in Tokyo said that more than 10,000 people have already been given warnings by police for breaking the city’s newly implemented bicycle regulations.

On Friday, police visited the roughly 100 areas of the capital which have been designated “Bicycle Traffic Regulation Zones.” Officers monitored rush hour bicycle traffic and cautioned commuters who were in violation of the new rules and regulations, Fuji TV reported.

According to police, over 10,000 cyclists throughout the capital have been cautioned for using cell phones and listening to earphones while riding, among other violations.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/crime/view/police-caution-more-than-10000-in-tokyo-for-breaking-new-bicycle-rules

Akashi Kaikyō Bridge tour

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/8060/img01361w.jpg

橋の科学館 (Akashi Kaikyō Bridge Exhibition Center)

http://img855.imageshack.us/img855/6527/img039420111126233604.jpg

http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/6968/img0176bz.jpg

http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/3006/img0169gf.jpg

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/1584/img02021u.jpg

http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/1330/img02341.jpg

http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/5756/img02381s.jpg

http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/8985/img0222120111126230319.jpg

http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/5903/img02241x.jpg

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/3337/img0228120111126230319.jpg

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/7398/img02041f.jpg

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/31/img03801.jpg

http://img805.imageshack.us/img805/1194/img02161.jpg

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/7319/img02121x.jpg

http://img85.imageshack.us/img85/3397/img03831n.jpg

http://img803.imageshack.us/img803/4755/img02511.jpg

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/2122/img02391.jpg

http://img542.imageshack.us/img542/5910/img02551.jpg

Source: http://saitoshika.blog119.fc2.com/ (http://saitoshika.blog119.fc2.com/blog-entry-1296.html)

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/5941/img037020111127222742.jpg

http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/8670/img026320111127221834.jpg

http://img15.imageshack.us/img15/5365/img0289mk.jpg

http://img804.imageshack.us/img804/5088/img0261jm.jpg

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/8980/img0288sk.jpg

http://img41.imageshack.us/img41/8400/img0315zo.jpg

http://img846.imageshack.us/img846/2742/img0347ig.jpg

http://img832.imageshack.us/img832/730/img0281xr.jpg

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/1760/img0351pvt.jpg

http://img839.imageshack.us/img839/5834/img027920111127224451.jpg

Views of Kōbe
Seishin Chūō

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/9501/img0318rw.jpg

Myōdani

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/861/img031720111127222657.jpg

五色塚古墳 (Goshiki-zuka Mound)

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/7624/img0305ltg.jpg

http://img546.imageshack.us/img546/5079/img029920111127224630.jpg

Looking west
家島諸島 (Ieshima Islands), part of Himeji City

http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/3112/img0374am.jpg

Ōsaka Bay

http://img705.imageshack.us/img705/4423/img031220111127223719.jpg

http://img856.imageshack.us/img856/1363/img0275pv.jpg

Source: http://saitoshika.blog119.fc2.com/ (http://saitoshika.blog119.fc2.com/blog-entry-1297.html)

Nice tour!

Push to replace Tokyo's aging expressways with tunnel routes revived

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/images/photos2012/nn20120317f2a.jpg

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/images/photos2012/nn20120317f2b.jpg

A once-shelved project to bury Tokyo's expressway network, which is now aging, deep underground is finding new life, in part because of last year's devastating Tohoku quake and tsunami.

The "Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway Renewal Plan" was initially pushed by entrepreneurs six years ago but is now on the official agenda for serious debate at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

The ministry is planning to set up an advisory panel to examine the feasibility of burying the elevated sections in the heart of Tokyo, officially called the Inner Circular Route. Once the panel, to be led by political commentator Hisayuki Miyake, submits a recommendation by summer, the ministry will request more funding for the next fiscal year to conduct further research, sources said.

The elevated sections, stretching 32.5 km, were built between 1962 and 1967 when Japan was in the bloom of frenetic economic growth, peaking with the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

According to the draft proposal, the existing elevated Inner Circular Route would be buried 60 meters down. By applying the deep underground utilization law to this major project, there would be no need to worry about the huge cost of procuring land.

According to an estimate for the project, consigned to a Tokyo construction consultancy, the total construction cost would be approximately ¥4.6 trillion, including the cost of dismantling the existing structures on the surface, and would take only six years to complete.

If the private finance initiative, or PFI, is used, the project would be financed 100 percent by the private sector. The invested capital would be redeemed in 33 to 45 years, depending on the level of interest rates.

The plan has been revived in a way to incorporate another plan to put a 2-km section of the expressway running above Nihonbashi Bridge, one of Tokyo's historical landmarks, underground. Nihonbashi Bridge was the starting point for five major trunk roads in the Edo Period.

More: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/nn20120317f2.html

@DailyYomiuri -- Nearly 900 lights were used to illuminate #Tokyo Gate Bridge for the 1st time tonight. Lights on until midnight.

http://i46.tinypic.com/294l7b6.jpg

qPkQLXp4i4I

The Tokyo Gate Bridge is a beautiful bridge.

Does anyone have pictures or links to websites for the construction of the Saikai Pearl Line between Sasebo and Nagasaki?

Some photos that i found on Flickr

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4096/4823867779_4ee85f8dd9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27889738@N07/4823867779/)
Traffic Signal with Four Arrow Signals (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27889738@N07/4823867779/) by ykanazawa1999 (http://www.flickr.com/people/27889738@N07/), on Flickr

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4115/4831176172_d72eec927d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27889738@N07/4831176172/)
The Fourth Arrow Signal Is “Dig into the Ground!” (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27889738@N07/4831176172/) by ykanazawa1999 (http://www.flickr.com/people/27889738@N07/), on Flickr

http://farm2.staticflickr.com/1265/4708991870_be90530258_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/aniseed/4708991870/)
Tokyo Bay Aqua Line (http://www.flickr.com/photos/aniseed/4708991870/) by herminiosuke (http://www.flickr.com/people/aniseed/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5204/5368556389_cdc7842eee_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/futing/5368556389/)
Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line (http://www.flickr.com/photos/futing/5368556389/) by Fu Ting (http://www.flickr.com/people/futing/), on Flickr

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8006/7123509043_be5d991b1b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ajpscs/7123509043/)
東京ゲートブリッジライトアップ点灯式 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ajpscs/7123509043/) by ajpscs (http://www.flickr.com/people/ajpscs/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5174/5514874925_44cfa455c3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27889738@N07/5514874925/)
Shutoko No.10 Toyosu Entrance (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27889738@N07/5514874925/) by ykanazawa1999 (http://www.flickr.com/people/27889738@N07/), on Flickr

http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5221/5683860427_f3e722c761_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27889738@N07/5683860427/)
Bran-new Surface of Shutoko K6 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27889738@N07/5683860427/) by ykanazawa1999 (http://www.flickr.com/people/27889738@N07/), on Flickr

http://farm5.staticflickr.com/4083/5074903702_520fb55f4f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tummiy/5074903702/)
Mt.Fuji (http://www.flickr.com/photos/tummiy/5074903702/) by tummiy (http://www.flickr.com/people/tummiy/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7083/6929689972_b18baedb43_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/peaceful-jp-scenery/6929689972/)
the leading car (http://www.flickr.com/photos/peaceful-jp-scenery/6929689972/) by peaceful-jp-scenery (http://www.flickr.com/people/peaceful-jp-scenery/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3422/4559400765_8b93b840a5_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pokoroto/4559400765/)
Kanmon Roadway Tunnel (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pokoroto/4559400765/) by pokoroto (http://www.flickr.com/people/pokoroto/), on Flickr

http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3437/3971287499_e93454b53d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stonez/3971287499/)
R0019874 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/stonez/3971287499/) by stonez+ (http://www.flickr.com/people/stonez/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6053/6369572895_c024e901b4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27889738@N07/6369572895/)
Roads over Akasaka-mitsuke Intersection (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27889738@N07/6369572895/) by ykanazawa1999 (http://www.flickr.com/people/27889738@N07/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7035/6666686023_1e27c5b327_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brettmj/6666686023/)
TOKYO ROADS AKASAKA JULY 2007 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/brettmj/6666686023/) by Brett Johnson Photography (http://www.flickr.com/people/brettmj/), on Flickr

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7007/6854396505_e4910db688_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7591050@N06/6854396505/)
Untitled (http://www.flickr.com/photos/7591050@N06/6854396505/) by quashlo (http://www.flickr.com/people/7591050@N06/), on Flickr

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6191/6106444848_97ffb8b85b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27889738@N07/6106444848/)
S-shaped Curve of Tomei Expressway (http://www.flickr.com/photos/27889738@N07/6106444848/) by ykanazawa1999 (http://www.flickr.com/people/27889738@N07/), on Flickr

Japan eyes driverless cars by early 2020s
The Japanese government has started talks on the goal of getting self-driving cars on public roads by the early 2020s.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism has said it's the first in the world to seriously consider robot cars for the masses, according to Nikkei Automotive News.

Participating automakers include Nissan, Toyota, Fuji Heavy Industries, Honda, and Mazda. The ministry plans bimonthly talks on the topic.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-57464359-1/japan-eyes-driverless-cars-by-early-2020s/

100 EV Chargers To Be Installed Along Highways By '20
TOKYO (Nikkei)--Highway operators will install quick-charging facilities for electric vehicles at 100 spots throughout Japan by 2020, The Nikkei has learned.

http://e.nikkei.com/e/ac/tnks/Nni20120728D28JFF03.htm

Bad drivers' insurance rates set to increase
Nonlife insurance companies will drastically increase insurance premiums for drivers causing traffic accidents, starting with policies taken from Oct. 1.

If a driver causes an accident, their premiums will increase for the following year's contract.

The planned premium increase is aimed at improving earnings of nonlife insurance companies saddled with chronic deficits as well as curbing accidents, observers said.

Auto insurance customers are graded from 1 to 20 depending on their traffic accident history. Usually, drivers start at Grade 6 with an increase to Grade 7 the following year if they do not cause an accident in that time.

Premiums are discounted annually if the driver does not cause any accidents. If a driver causes an accident, their grade will be lowered by three notches.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T120927003221.htm

Just out of curiosity I looked up list of countries by traffic-related deaths and found: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_traffic-related_death_rate

Japan appears to be the 7th safest or 3rd safest depending on the metric. So much for asians being dangerous drivers :laugh:

End of the road for elevated highways? / Plan to put Tokyo expressways underground an option, but an extremely costly one
The government is considering removal of aging sections of elevated lanes of the Metropolitan Expressways in Tokyo and burying the roads underground.

The greatest hurdle to this idea, which is the baby of the infrastructure ministry, is the huge construction cost, estimated at 4.3 trillion yen, which is close to the 5.4 trillion yen needed for the planned Chuo linear motor train line between Tokyo and Nagoya.

The first elevated lane of the expressway opened between the Kyobashi and Shibaura districts in 1962, two years before the Tokyo Olympics.

The Metropolitan Expressways are now 301 kilometers long, with about 90 kilometers constructed more than 40 years ago. About 1 million vehicles use the expressways every day.

To avoid trouble over purchasing land, many sections of the expressways were built over existing roads and rivers. About 80 percent of the lanes are elevated.

Although the expressways were built for speed and to avoid traffic jams, many sections of the Inner Circular Route, which runs around central Tokyo, are narrow and the maximum speed is limited to 50 kph, although 100,000 vehicles use the ring road daily.

Some people say this route, a section of which crosses Nihombashi Bridge, will be unnecessary after the completion of extensions on such highways as the Central Circular Route. Others voiced concern that if the old ring road was closed traffic jams would worsen.

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/photo/DY20121008102308948L0.jpg

http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/photo/DY20121008103556941L0.jpg

More: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/national/T121007002021.htm

End of the road for elevated highways? / Plan to put Tokyo expressways underground an option, but an extremely costly one


Oooh it looks like those roadways could interfere with underground utilities or worse, cross with existing subway lines, especially that Tokyo has an extensive subway network. Definitely an expensive proposition, but if doable, can help alleviate many of Tokyo's highway congestion. I just don't know which highways could be dug underground (will it be the Shuto Expressway?)

It would be great if they at least buried the route that goes over the Nihonbashi bridge, I don't know what were they thinking when they built it there in the first place.

Tokyo Metropolitan Govt To Double Bicycle Paths
TOKYO (Nikkei)--The Tokyo Metropolitan Government plans to build more than 100km of new bicycle paths by fiscal 2020, nearly doubling their total length from 112km at present.

http://e.nikkei.com/e/ac/tnks/Nni20121031D30HH436.htm

^^ that's interesting. I didn't know Tokyo has started invested in building bike paths in the Metro region... Usually, I mistake some of the narrow side streets and alleyways to be bike paths.

Oooh it looks like those roadways could interfere with underground utilities or worse, cross with existing subway lines, especially that Tokyo has an extensive subway network. Definitely an expensive proposition, but if doable, can help alleviate many of Tokyo's highway congestion. I just don't know which highways could be dug underground (will it be the Shuto Expressway?)
The Tokyo Gaikan Ring Step tunnel project will put the twin road tunnels 40m below ground. With the possible exceptions of the Oedo line and the G-CAN drainage system, that kind of depth would probably avoid interference with utilities & services.
I think a major difficulty would be in connecting the tunnels to the rest of the road network. I live a few hundred meters from the planned Tohachi/Chuo interchange. To judge from the plans (and my own inspection of the area :-)) the junctions will be really complex pieces of civil engineering.

Roads Near Shibuya Station To Get Wider Sidewalks
TOKYO (Nikkei)--The Shibuya Ward government in Tokyo has decided to widen 1.1km of sidewalks along major roads near Shibuya Station by about 2m, The Nikkei has learned.

To make room for the expansion, which will be for the roads running along the Dogenzaka and Miyamasuzaka hills, the municipality will decrease the number of car lanes on each side of the road from the current two to one. Plans call for starting construction as early as fiscal 2015.

The work is expected to take about five years to complete, because most of it will be done at night. The cost has yet to be determined.

The renovation is aimed at easing the overcrowding that often occurs on the sidewalks and thereby making the area more comfortable and appealing.

According to the Shibuya government, the reduction in the number of car lanes will not be a problem for traffic as long as spaces to accommodate cargo vehicles are established along the affected roads.

http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20130422D22EE040.htm

Government considers selling air rights to fund undergrounding of Shuto Expressway network
首都高 空中権の売却資金で改修を検討
http://www3.nhk.or.jp/news/html/20130506/k10014385241000.html

As we already know, the government has been considering options for renovating and replacing Tōkyō’s aging elevated expressway network, and the MLIT has recommended undergrounding the network in tunnels for a variety of reasons, including seismic concerns. The network first opened in 1963, but replacement now is expected to cost ¥910 billion, so they obviously want to tap as much private financing as possible for the project. The renovation of Tōkyō Station in particular offers some insight into air rights development, with JR East selling the rights to the unused 700% (of 900% total) in FAR at the station to surrounding parcels, raising as much as ¥50 billion for the station renovation. According to the MLIT, about 16% of the Shuto Expressway network is fit for air rights development, which could raise as much as ¥1.2 trillion, covering one-third of the costs of the new tunnels.

The article has a video report.

Highway Discounts To Continue After FY13
TOKYO (Nikkei)--Discounts on highway tolls will be extended beyond the originally planned expiration in fiscal 2013, the Transport Ministry said in a task force meeting Friday.

The program, originally introduced in 2008, will be kept on a limited scale, focusing on certain time slots and areas where the program has proven effective. Late-night discounts, a 30% reduction on weekdays, and a 50% markdown on weekends will be reviewed.

However, with many old highways likely needing costly repairs and reinforcements in the future, securing the necessary funds will be a challenge.

http://e.nikkei.com/e/fr/tnks/Nni20130510D1005A02.htm