[JP] "Delays Mount for Linear Chūō Shinkansen: 18 Sections Won't Meet 2027 Deadline, Yamanashi Station Delayed to 2031

[Miss Maglev]

Delays Mount for Linear Chūō Shinkansen: 18 Sections Won't Meet 2027 Deadline, Yamanashi Station Delayed to 2031

The construction of the Linear Chūō Shinkansen between Shinagawa and Nagoya is facing significant delays, with 18 construction sections now confirmed to extend beyond the original target completion date of 2027. This was revealed in an interview with JR Central. The delay is mainly due to challenges in securing land and labor, prolonged tunnel excavations, and other factors such as the ongoing lack of understanding from Shizuoka Prefecture, which has led to delays in starting the South Alps Tunnel construction.

The project, which divides the 286-kilometer route into 83 construction zones, has faced unforeseen difficulties in 18 of these zones, with the completion of each delayed beyond 2027. The situation could worsen as more sections are yet to be fully analyzed, and some areas remain undecided on how they will be divided into construction zones.

One example is the Fūkesan Tunnel in Iida City, Nagano Prefecture, where excavation work using a shield machine is now scheduled to begin in the winter of 2028. The delay is attributed to the slow progress in setting up the necessary facilities for machinery storage, hampered by ongoing cultural heritage surveys. There are also significant uncertainties about when other tunnels and related infrastructure might be completed.

As of now, JR Central has not been able to provide a clear timeline for many of the affected sections, leading to criticism about the overly optimistic original projections. Many observers argue that the initial expectation of a 2027 opening was unrealistic given the complications that have arisen in several regions along the route.

Moreover, the delay is not limited to the Shizuoka Prefecture section but extends across multiple other zones, with difficulties in procuring land and securing skilled labor also causing further setbacks. This has led to growing skepticism regarding whether the ambitious timeline for the high-speed rail line can be met at all.

In particular, the completion of the Yamanashi Prefecture station, a key stop along the route, has been delayed and is now expected to be finished by 2031, marking another significant departure from the original schedule. As the situation stands, it seems increasingly likely that the much-anticipated opening of the Chūō Shinkansen will be postponed well beyond the originally set target.

Info based on: https://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/article/377325 Accessed 05-01-2025

[Miss Maglev]

リニア開業見通しが甘すぎ…計18工区で「2027年」に間に合わないと判明　「山梨県駅」完成は2031年
"Delays Mount for Linear Chūō Shinkansen: 18 Sections Won't Meet 2027 Deadline, Yamanashi Station Delayed to 2031

2025-01-05_Toky-np.co.jp

Picture: https://www.tokyo-np.co.jp/article/377325 Accessed 05-01-2025

[Parrahub1]

You really need to build overnight container trains while you are waiting for the tunnel to be finished so they can be showcased in stage one Melbourne to Sydney WSA

[latestnews]

Shizuoka Governor: Difficult to Conclude Linear Shinkansen Talks with JR Central by Year-End

Shizuoka Governor Heita Suzuki acknowledged in a press conference on January 6 that completing ongoing discussions with JR Central regarding the Linear Chuo Shinkansen project within this year would be difficult. The negotiations, crucial for securing construction approval within the prefecture, still have 24 unresolved issues related to environmental concerns, including the impact on water resources in the Ōi River and the South Alps' ecosystem.

The Shizuoka government has set the resolution of all 28 originally listed issues as a prerequisite for construction approval. With only four resolved so far, Suzuki expressed skepticism about completing the remaining 24 within a year. He emphasized the necessity of further explanation and consensus-building among local stakeholders, suggesting that even a one-year timeframe might not be sufficient.

Regarding the project's anticipated launch, currently delayed until at least 2034, Suzuki stated that the timeline is ultimately up to JR Central. However, he reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the project’s progress, noting his desire to see the high-speed rail service commence as soon as possible.

Source: Info based on NHK https://www3.nhk.or.jp/lnews/shizuoka/2 ... 26649.html Accessed 2025-01-06