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Linear Tunnel Construction Extended by Five and a Half Years

　JR Tokai announced on March 3 that the construction of five tunnels and bridges for the Linear Shinkansen Line in the towns of Hayakawa and Fujikawa in Yamanashi Prefecture, which was originally scheduled to be completed between October 2025 and December 2027, will now be delayed by up to five and a half years. The company said the delay will not affect the opening of the Shinagawa-Nagoya line, which is scheduled to begin in 1934 or later.

　The company held a briefing session for local residents in both towns to report on the situation. The biggest delays are in the west section of the No. 4 Minamikoma Tunnel in the town of Hayakawa and the east section of the same tunnel in the town of Fujikawa. In both cases, the completion of construction was postponed from the end of May 2014 to the end of 2011.

Info based on Kyodo News Inc. https://nordot.app/1269264217027035451? ... 8515047521 Accessed 2025/03/03

Linear Shinkansen Tunnel Construction in Hayakawa Town Faces Up to 5.5-Year Delay

On March 3, JR Tokai announced that the construction of tunnels for the Linear Chuo Shinkansen in Hayakawa Town will face significant delays, with the overall project completion expected to be postponed by up to 5.5 years. The announcement was made during a closed meeting with local residents, where it was explained that various parts of the project, including the *Daiyon Minami Koma Tunnel*, *Minami Alps Tunnel*, and *Hayakawa Bridge*, would experience delays of 3.5 to 5.5 years due to unforeseen geological and environmental challenges.

The construction delays are attributed to the unexpectedly fragile geology of the tunnel excavation sites, which required additional reinforcement work. Additionally, the challenging terrain in the mountainous area has made construction more time-consuming. The *Daiyon Minami Koma Tunnel* is expected to be delayed by about 5.5 years, while the *Minami Alps Tunnel* will see a delay of around 5 years, and the *Hayakawa Bridge* will be delayed by roughly 3.5 years. The completion of these projects is now projected for between the end of 2030 and the end of 2031.

In addition, the construction of tunnels in Fujikawa Town is also expected to be delayed by a similar period of 5 to 5.5 years. Despite these delays, JR Tokai reassured the public that the overall timeline for the Chuo Shinkansen project would not be affected, as the delay falls within the scope of the construction delays on the Shizuoka side of the route.

Local residents expressed concerns about the delays, with some questioning whether the initial project assumptions were overly optimistic. One resident voiced frustration about the significant delay, saying, "It’s exhausting to think the project will be delayed by five years. But if the construction has to continue, I hope they prioritize safety."

In response to the concerns, Takashi Watanabe, Director of JR Tokai's Chuo Shinkansen Yamanashi West Construction Office, acknowledged that the extended construction period would place a heavy burden on the local community. He emphasized that the company would make efforts to minimize the impact on the residents' daily lives.

Info based on https://www3.nhk.or.jp/lnews/kofu/20250 ... 25894.html Accessed 2025-03-04