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[JP] JR Central Reveals Maglev Tunnel Construction: Shield Machines Assemble 14m-Diameter Segments 90m Underground
Source: Transportation News
Original title:
リニアトンネルの“壁ができた”ばかりの地下を公開 工事を行っているのは90m以上の縦穴を掘って投入された巨大マシン!?
Date: July 20, 2026
Original language: Japanese
Web link: https://trafficnews.jp/post/689005/
Accessed: July 20, 2026

JR Central published images on July 16 of the First Capital Region Tunnel immediately after installing segments using a shield machine. The 4.2-km section from Higashi-Yurigaoka to Katahirano emergency exits in Kawasaki City uses shield machines for deep underground construction.
In this section, 11 blocks, each weighing 10 tons, are connected to form a 14-m outer diameter ring. As of July 13, excavation had progressed 2.7 km from Higashi-Yurigaoka.

Shield machines are large cylindrical excavators that cut tunnels at the front while assembling segments at the rear, preventing soil collapse for efficient construction. The First Capital Region Tunnel uses the shield tunneling method in deep underground conditions (40 m+ depth). A 90-m vertical shaft is excavated, the shield machine is disassembled and lowered, then reassembled underground before starting. A similar method was used for parts of the Yamate Tunnel.

Source: Web link: https://trafficnews.jp/post/689005/
Date: July 20, 2026
Original language: Japanese
Accessed: July 20, 2026

. Source: Web link: https://trafficnews.jp/post/689005/
Date: July 20, 2026
Original language: Japanese
Accessed: July 20, 2026

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リニア中央新幹線の東雪谷非常口の建設工事現場=2026年6月16日、東京都大田区、朝日新聞社ヘリから、小林正明撮影

Construction site for the Higashi-Yukigaya emergency exit of the Chuo Shinkansen, June 16, 2026, Ota Ward, Tokyo; photo by Masaaki Kobayashi, taken from an Asahi Shimbun helicopter.

Source: Asahi Shimbun
Original title:
人口減少社会でもリニア？　JR東海副会長「国力維持に大動脈強化」
Date: July 21, 2026, 13:00
Original language: Japanese
Web link: https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASV7H1G8 ... P021M.html
Accessed: July 21, 2026