(Translated by https://www.hiragana.jp/)
Bayshore Route - Wikipedia Jump to content

Bayshore Route

This is a good article. Click here for more information.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Wangan-sen)
This article is about the expressway in Tokyo. For the expressways in Osaka, see Bayshore Route (Port of Osaka-Kansai International Airport) and Bayshore Route (Port of Osaka-Kobe). For the freeway in California, see Bayshore Freeway.

Shuto Expressway Bayshore Route
首都高しゅとこう速そく道路どうろ湾岸わんがん線せん
Map
The Bayshore Route highlighted in red (not mobile view)
Route information
Maintained by Metropolitan Expressway Company Limited
Length62.1 km (38.6 mi)
Existed1976–present
Major junctions
West end Yokohama–Yokosuka Road in Yokohama, Kanagawa
East end Tokyo Gaikan Expressway
Higashi-Kantō Expressway in Ichikawa, Chiba
Location
CountryJapan
Highway system

The Bayshore Route (湾岸わんがん線せん, Wangan-sen) signed as Route B, is one of the routes of the tolled Shuto Expressway system in the Greater Tokyo Area. The Bayshore Route is a 62.1-kilometer (38.6 mi) stretch of toll highway that runs from the Kanazawa ward of Yokohama in the west, northeast to the city of Ichikawa in Chiba Prefecture in the east. Opened in phases beginning in 1976 and ending in 2001, it is an important route that runs between the artificial islands lining the western shore of Tokyo Bay by way of bridges and sub-sea tunnels that bypass central Tokyo.

Route description

[edit]
Elevated roads lit up at night
The Bayshore Route in Yokohama

The Bayshore Route is a tolled expressway in the Shuto Expressway network of the Greater Tokyo Area and the only route of the network that serves Chiba Prefecture. It is called Route B after its name in English, Bayshore. The road was constructed by the Metropolitan Expressway Company as a motorway to add capacity to the existing National Route 357. It now runs parallel to the older road, which is used by more local traffic.[1] For administrative purposes, the expressway is also designated on prefecture-level as Route 294 by Chiba Prefecture, Kanagawa Prefecture and Tokyo.[2][3]

Tokyo-ko tunnel entrance in Shinagawa, Tokyo.

The western terminus of the Bayshore Route lies at the eastern end of a spur route of the Yokohama–Yokosuka Road in the Kanazawa ward of Yokohama. The Bayshore Route runs from Yokohama across the Yokohama Bay and Tsurumi Tsubasa Bridges, through the Kawasaki Subsea, the Tama Subriver, Haneda Airport North, and Tokyo Bay Subsea Tunnels, which connects it to the popular tourist spot of Odaiba, and then on to Urayasu (near Tokyo Disneyland) in Chiba Prefecture. The expressway facilitates direct road travel between Chiba and Kanagawa prefectures as well as Narita and Haneda Airports. It also serves to link the ends of all of Tokyo's ring roads, aside from the Inner Circular Route. As a result, it is used as a bypass for the heavily congested city center of Tokyo. Owing to the nature of the route from Kanagawa passing through Tokyo to Chiba, the direction of travel is represented in Japanese by "eastbound/westbound" rather than the Japanese norm of "up/down" direction that only functions relative to the direction one is traveling and Tokyo.[4] The eastern terminus of the Bayshore Route connects to the southern terminus of the Higashi-Kantō Expressway and the eastern end of the Tokyo Gaikan Expressway at Kōya Junction.[5]

Traffic

[edit]

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), conducts surveys on the Japan's national routes and expressways every five years to measure their average daily traffic. In 2015, the most utilized point along the expressway was in the Kōtō ward of Tokyo between Tatsumi Junction and Shinkiba, where a daily average of 163,404 vehicles traveled on the Bayshore Route. The least busy section of the expressway was in Yokohama between its western terminus and the interchange at Sugita, there it carried an average of only 27,268 vehicles. Generally, the expressway is more heavily used between Haneda Airport and Chiba Prefecture. From Haneda to Yokohama, traffic levels slowly drop, then decline sharply beyond Honmoku Junction.[6]

Cargo from Narita International Airport in Chiba destined for southern areas travels on large trucks on the Bayshore Route, though the opening of Chubu International Airport helped ease heavy truck congestion on the expressway. It is notable as Tokyo's first offshore highway,[2] providing sightseers with urban views of Minato Mirai 21, Odaiba, the Rainbow Bridge, downtown Yokohama, and the Yokohama Bay Bridge.[7] Although the expressway is heavily congested during the day, it is frequented by street racers during late night hours.[2] From the late 1980s all the way to 1999 there was a presence on the Bayshore Route with street racers racing along the expressway's long, straight stretches;[8] however, due to increased police presence the street racing scene has since dwindled.[2]

History

[edit]
Haneda Airport Reclamation Project under construction in 1984, including the Bayshore Route section between Keihinjima and Haneda Airport and Haneda Route
Highway junction in daylight with an exit to the left
The eight-lane Bayshore Route at Shinonome Junction in the Kōtō ward of Tokyo.

The first section of the Bayshore Route was completed in August 1976 between Ōi and Rinkai-fukutoshin. It was expanded in stages with the earlier phases of construction generally taking place in Tokyo and Chiba. The first section of the expressway to open in Kanagawa Prefecture, where later phases of the expressway's construction were completed, opened in January 1989. The Bayshore Route was selected in April 2000 to be one of two trial routes of the Shuto Expressway network for the implementation of electronic toll collection (ETC). The ETC system was popular among the route's drivers and was implemented throughout the network in December 2003.[9] The final link in the expressway's route was opened in October 2001 when the expressway was completed between the interchanges at Sugita and Sankeien.[5]

There have been several developments on the Bayshore Route since its completion in 2001. Between 2004 and 2008, the expressway was widened to four lanes in each direction in a series of projects in the wards of Minato and Kōtō. The first of these widening projects was completed in 2004 on the westbound side of the expressway between Shinkiba and Tatsumi Junction on 17 September 2004.[10] The final stage of the project was completed in March 2008 with the widening of the eastbound section of the Bayshore Route between Tatsumi and Ariake Junction.[11] Part of this expansion project also made room for the addition of Shinonome Junction where the Bayshore Route meets the southern terminus of the Harumi Route. The junction was opened on 11 February 2009.[12]

On 4 March 2017, the interchange at Minami-honmoku futō in Yokohama was completed, providing a direct connection from the Bayshore Route to Honmoku Wharf by a 2.5-kilometer-long (1.6 mi) viaduct.[13] Kōya Junction was expanded on 2 June 2018 to add the Tokyo Gaikan Expressway to the highways served by the terminal junction of the Bayshore Route.[14]

Street racing

[edit]

The Bayshore Route (also known as the Wangan route), received worldwide notoriety during the 1990s as the home course for Mid Night, one of the most notorious street racing clubs, who were known for their 300 km/h, sometimes 320 km/h exploits.[15][16] Tuning companies such as Top Secret also set well-known illegal speed records on the Wangan such as 0-400 km/h (0-249 mph), 0-300km/h (0-186 mph), 1000m, and top speed challenges, often with a Toyota Supra A80.[17] These exploits and street racing culture on the Shuto Expressway have made the Bayshore Route a well-known location for street racing and speed records.[18]

Due to this infamy, the Wangan is the setting for several entertainment franchises, such as the manga and arcade game Wangan Midnight, video games Shutokou Battle and Gran Turismo 5, 6, Sport and 7 (as the street circuit) and the movie series Shuto Kousoku Trial. Numerous car enthusiast magazines and DVDs, like Best Motoring, also highlight races and activities on the Wangan.[19][20][21]

Junction list

[edit]
PrefectureLocationkm[22]miExitNameDestinationsNotes
KanagawaYokohama0.00.0— Yokohama–Yokosuka Road west (Kanazawa spur) – Yokosuka, MiuraWestern terminus, expressway continues west as the Yokohama–Yokosuka Road
0.90.56B01Sachiura National Route 357 – Hakkeijima, UminokōenWestbound exit, eastbound entrance
2.81.7—Torihamachō Toll BoothToll booth for eastbound traffic
4.02.5B02 / B03Sugita National Route 357 – Sugita, Kannai, Honmoku, Hakkeijima
6.13.8B05Isogo National Route 357 – Hakkeijima, Sugita
Yokohama City Loop Route 2 (Byōbugaura Bypass) – Shin-Yokohama, Hino		Westbound exit, eastbound entrance
10.96.8B06Sankeien National Route 357 – Yamashita Park, Honmoku WharfWestbound entrance, eastbound exit
13.08.1B07AMinami-honmoku futōMinami-honmoku AvenueWestbound exit, eastbound entrance
14.38.9B07BHonmoku futō National Route 357 west – Hakkeijima, Isogo, A, B, C, and D pierWestbound exit, eastbound entrance
14.38.9—HonmokuE83K3 Kariba Route west – to Yokohama Shindō, Daisan Keihin Road
17.410.8B08 / B09DaikokuK1K7K5 Daikoku Route north – to Daikoku Parking Area, Yokohane Route, Yokohama North Route, Shin-Yokohama
Ōgurobashi-dōri – Umizuri Park, Namamugi, Daikoku Pier
Kawasaki24.0–
26.5		14.9–
16.5		B10 / B11HigashiōgishimaNR 132 National Route 357 – to National Route 132, central Kawasaki, Kawasaki Port
26.6–
28.6		16.5–
17.8		Port of Kawasaki Tunnel [ja]
29.518.3—Kawasaki-Ukishima Tokyo Bay Aqua-Line east / National Route 409 east – Kisarazu
K6 Kawasaki Route west – Central Kawasaki
29.518.3B12 / B13Ukishima National Route 409 west – Ukishimachō
Kanagawa–Tokyo border29.6
31.8		18.4
19.8		Tamagawa Tunnel [ja] under the Tama River
TokyoŌta31.819.8B14Wangan Kanpachi National Route 357 east – to Kanpachi-dōri, Haneda Airport Terminal 1, International TerminalWestbound entrance, eastbound exit
34.521.4B16 / B17Haneda Airport National Route 357 – Haneda Airport Terminal 2
35.2
36.7		21.9
22.8		Kūkō-kita Tunnel [ja] under Haneda Airport
38.624.0—TōkaiK11 Haneda Route south – to Yokohane Route, YokohamakōenWestbound exit, eastbound entrance
Shinagawa39.024.2PAŌiParklng area
39.424.5B18 / B19Ōi-minami National Route 357 – Central Shinagawa, Haneda Airport, Katsushima, Ōi Wharf
41.125.5—Ōi3E1 E20C2 Central Circular Route north – to Shibuya Route, Tōmei Expressway, Chūō Expressway
C11 Haneda Route north – to Inner Circular Route		No access from Haneda Route to Bayshore Route
41.325.7B21Ōi National Route 357 – Central Shinagawa, ŌimachiWestbound exit, eastbound entrance
Shinagawa–Minato border41.4
42.7		25.7
26.5		Tokyo-kō Tunnel [ja] under Tokyo Bay
Minato43.126.8B22Rinkai-fukutoshin National Route 357 – Daiba, Tokyo Big Sight, Ferry WharfWestbound entrance, eastbound exit
Kōtō44.927.9—AriakeC111 Daiba Route west – to Inner Circular Route, Rainbow Bridge
45.928.5—Shinonome10 Harumi Route north – Toyosu
45.928.5B23Ariake National Route 357 – Daiba, Tokyo Big Sight, Ferry WharfWestbound exit, eastbound entrance
47.629.6—Tatsumi69 Fukagawa Route north – to Mukojima Route, HakozakiInterchange features a parking area[23]
49.030.4B24 / B25Shinkiba National Route 357 – Tokyo Heliport, Yumenoshima, Meiji-dōri, Shinkiba, Minamisuna
Edogawa50.931.6—Kasai6E4 E6C2 Central Circular Route north – to Mukojima Route, Tōhoku Expressway, Jōban Expressway
52.332.5B26 / B27Kasai National Route 357 – Kannana-dōri, Kasai Rinkai Park
ChibaUrayasu53.733.4B28MaihamaEntrance ramp from Tokyo Disney ResortWestbound entrance only
55.734.6B30 / B31Urayasu National Route 357 – Tokyo Disney Resort
Ichikawa59.637.0B32Chidorichō National Route 357 – Funabashi, central IchikawaSoutbound entrance, eastbound exit
60.537.6—Ichikawa Toll BoothToll booth and parking area for westbound traffic
62.138.6—Kōya Tokyo Gaikan Expressway north – Misato, Kawaguchi
Higashi-Kantō Expressway north – Narita, Chiba, Narita		Eastern terminus, expressway continues north as the Higashi-Kantō Expressway
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi
[edit]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "「新木場しんきば立体りったい(４車線しゃせん)」が完成かんせい" ["Shinkiba solid (4 lanes)" completed] (PDF) (in Japanese). Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. 14 February 2014. Retrieved 1 June 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d 日本にっぽんの道みち100選せん [100 Best Roads in Japan] (in Japanese). GYOSEI Corporation. 20 June 2002. ISBN 4-324-06810-0.
  3. ^ 千葉ちば県けん道路どうろ図ず [Chiba Prefecture route map] (PDF) (Map) (in Japanese). Chiba Prefecture. 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  4. ^ "路線ろせんから出入口でいりぐち 高速こうそく湾岸わんがん線せん" [Junctions by route Bayshore Route] (in Japanese). Metropolitan Expressway Company Limited. 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  5. ^ a b "路線ろせん案内あんない" [Route information] (in Japanese). Metropolitan Expressway Company Limited. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  6. ^ 平成へいせい27年度ねんど全国ぜんこく道路どうろ・街路がいろ交通こうつう情勢じょうせい調査ちょうさ 一般いっぱん交通こうつう量りょう調査ちょうさ 箇所かしょ別べつ基本きほん表ひょう [2015 Traffic Report by intersection] (Report). Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. 2015. p. 7. Retrieved 10 February 2020.
  7. ^ "The Giant Ferris Wheel at Palette Town". Metropolitan Expressway Company Limited. 2021. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  8. ^ Hodges, Jared (6 February 2019). "The Mid Night Club: Japan's Most Infamous Street Racers". The Back Roads. Retrieved 2 August 2021.
  9. ^ "首都高しゅとこう開通かいつう50周年しゅうねんを迎むかえて" [Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Shuto Expressway] (PDF) (in Japanese). Highway Industry Development Organization {{:ja:道路どうろ新しん産業さんぎょう開発かいはつ機構きこう}}. December 2012. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  10. ^ "新木場しんきば～辰巳たつみJCT間あいだ片側かたがわ4車線しゃせん化か整備せいび効果こうか（速報そくほう）～新木場しんきば入口いりくちを先頭せんとうとする湾岸わんがん線せん西にし行いきの渋滞じゅうたいがほぼ解消かいしょう！～" [Shinkiba and Tatsumi Junction 4 lane expansion project- Westbound congestion on the Bayshore Route starting from Shinkiba entrance has been almost eliminated!] (in Japanese). Metropolitan Expressway Company Limited. 22 October 2004. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  11. ^ "湾岸わんがん線せん東ひがし行いき有明ありあけJCT→辰巳たつみJCT間あいだ4車線しゃせん化か整備せいび効果こうか(速報そくほう)～有明ありあけ付近ふきんを先頭せんとうとする湾岸わんがん線せん東ひがし行いきの渋滞じゅうたいがほぼ解消かいしょう～" [Eastbound lanes of the Bayshore Route expanded to four lanes between Ariake and Tatsumi Junctions- Congestion to the east of the Gulf Line, starting near Ariake, has been almost eliminated] (in Japanese). Metropolitan Expressway Company Limited. 14 April 2008. Retrieved 9 June 2021.
  12. ^ "路線ろせん案内あんない 高速こうそく10号ごう晴海はるみ線せん" [Route guidance Route 10 Harumi Route] (in Japanese). Metropolitan Expressway Company Limited. 2021. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  13. ^ "南みなみ本牧ほんもくふ頭とう連絡れんらく臨港りんこう道路どうろ及および首都高しゅとこう湾岸わんがん線せん南みなみ本牧ほんもくふ頭とう出入口でいりぐちは3月がつ4日にち（土ど）に開通かいつういたします。（第だい2報ほう）" [The Minami-honmoku futō connector and the Minami-honmoku futō entrance and exit on the Metropolitan Expressway Bayshore Route will open on Saturday, March 4th. (2nd report)] (PDF) (in Japanese). Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. 3 February 2017. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 January 2018. Retrieved 10 June 2021.
  14. ^ "東京とうきょう外がいかく環状かんじょう道路どうろ(三郷みさと南みなみIC～高谷たかやJCT)今年ことし６月がつ２日にち（土ど）に開通かいつう" [Tokyo Gaikan Expressway (Misato Minami IC-Koya JCT) to open on Saturday, June 2, this year] (PDF) (in Japanese). East Nippon Expressway Company. 23 March 2018. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
  15. ^ "Japan's Infamous Team Mid Night Never Went Away". Road & Track. 31 May 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  16. ^ Hodges, Jared (6 February 2019). "The Mid Night Club: Japan's Most Infamous Street Racers". The Back Roads. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  17. ^ "会社かいしゃ概要がいよう｜About – TOPSECRET" (in Japanese). Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  18. ^ "I Met Japan's Highway Racers In The Middle Of The Sea". Jalopnik. 12 June 2018. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  19. ^ Hot Version Vol. 87 (Wangan Midnight homage)
  20. ^ JDM Option International - Vol 6: 2004 D1 Grand Prix Ebisu (Chiba Footage from Tokyo WANGAN Scene)
  21. ^ JDM Option International - Vol. 7: Super High Speed Drift (Chiba Footage from Tokyo WANGAN Scene)
  22. ^ "Bayshore Route" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 2 June 2021.
  23. ^ "車しゃ好すきの聖地せいち 首都高しゅとこう「辰巳たつみPA」に異変いへん！ 愛車あいしゃと夜景やけいの映はえる写真しゃしんが撮とれなくなった訳わけ" [A sacred place for car lovers, the Shuto Expressway "Tatsumi PA" has changed! The reason why I can no longer take pictures of my car and the night view] (in Japanese). Kuruma News. 8 May 2020. Retrieved 3 June 2021.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bayshore_Route&oldid=1238173083"