East Japan Railway Company (JR East) has announced the full-scale construction of the Haneda Airport Access Line (provisional name), a major transportation project designed to enhance Japan’s international competitiveness. By utilizing existing railway networks, the project will offer direct and seamless access to Haneda Airport from various parts of the Tokyo metropolitan area.
Project Significance
According to the Transport Policy Council’s Report No. 198 (April 2016), this project is considered a critical component in strengthening Japan’s urban rail infrastructure. It aims to:
- Improve accessibility to Haneda Airport
- Enhance transportation capacity
- Enable seamless mobility across different routes
- Strengthen international competitiveness
- Provide greater transportation flexibility during emergencies
Key Features of the Haneda Airport Access Line
- Direct Access: New routes from Utsunomiya, Takasaki, and Joban Lines to Haneda Airport.
- Reduced Travel Time: Travel from Tokyo Station to Haneda Airport will decrease from approximately 30 minutes to about 18 minutes without transfers.
- Use of Existing Infrastructure: Effective reuse of the Oshio Line, which has been out of service since 1998.
Construction Overview
East Yamate Route & New Access Line
- Tokaido Line Connecting Section:
- A short section connecting the Oshio Line to the Tokaido Line.
- Construction involves cut-and-cover and shield tunnels near Tamachi Station.
- Oshio Line Renovation Section:
- Rehabilitating existing viaducts and bridges.
- Tokyo Freight Terminal Modification:
- Creation of a car storage and maintenance facility on a 23,000 m² plot.
- New Access Line Section:
- A newly built double-track shield tunnel (~4.2 km long, ~50 meters underground) connecting Tokyo Freight Terminal to Haneda Airport.
Haneda Airport New Station (Provisional Name)
- Located underground between Terminals 1 and 2.
- Features:
- One island platform with two tracks.
- Platform dimensions: ~12 meters wide, ~310 meters long.
- Easy, same-level access to Terminal 2.
Project Details
| Item | Summary |
|---|---|
| Starting Point | Shibaura 1-Chome, Minato-ku |
| Ending Point | Haneda Airport 3-Chome, Ota-ku |
| Construction Length | Approx. 12.4 km |
| Structures | Tunnels (cut-and-cover, shield), Viaducts |
| Station | Haneda Airport New Station (Provisional Name) |
| Construction Cost | Approx. ¥280 billion (including ~¥70 billion for the tunnel funded under national airport development projects) |
| Scheduled Opening | Fiscal Year 2032 (March 2033) |
Final Thoughts
The Haneda Airport Access Line is a transformational project that will significantly boost Tokyo’s connectivity and international accessibility. By leveraging existing infrastructure and state-of-the-art tunnel technology, JR East is setting a new benchmark for urban rail innovation.
Stay tuned for further updates as construction progresses!