April 16, 2008 Press Conference on the Opening of the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway

(Moderator)

From now on, the chairman will explain the opening of the Tokai-Hokuriku Expwy.

(Chairman)

Hello everyone. Thank you for gathering at the temporary explanation place.
Tokai-Hokuriku Expwy 's HidaKiyomi IC to Shirakawago IC have been under construction but have been decided to open on July 5 this year.
Originally, it was scheduled to open at the end of March, but due to the circumstances described at this press conference on November 1, safety was put first, and it was postponed, but explained around July However, construction has been progressing steadily thereafter, and it was opened on July 5.
The postponement period has been postponed for more than three months, and we apologize again for causing inconvenience to all concerned.
Then, after opening, it is scheduled for the whole of October, and for a limited time, we will implement a Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway whole line opening discount.
It looks like the material you have, so I'd like to see it for a moment.
The opening date and time is 15:00 on Saturday, July 5, and the opening section is 24.9 km as just mentioned. The outline of the opening section, specifications and facility names are as described here. The open section is characterized by a very large number of structures, a structure ratio of 89% in total, and the construction of a road that literally cuts a mountain through a tunnel and crosses it with a bridge. It took nine and a half years. When we first received the enforcement order for this entire section, it was only 15 years later that it was finally opened.
Above all, we are installing various facilities to have you pass safely. The pavement was finished in March, and now the facilities are being installed one by one, and the completed facilities are checked individually, but in May, the entire system will be checked to further confirm safety. It is carried that can be.
Regarding the opening section, a big network will be created by all means, meeting the expectations of everyone, not only in economy and industry, but also in various aspects such as tourism, life and emergency medical care, across the economy and society. I am convinced that it will be a road that can be.
In conjunction with this opening, a smart IC will be provided to Hida-Kawai PA.
As for the contents of the commemorative discount, as mentioned earlier, we are considering a half price discount until October 31st. Even after the opening discount is over, there is a condition that it will be within the fiscal year 2008, based on the actual situation of use, etc., but we would like to consider some kind of discount, we would like to decide based on the situation.
The details of the discount are described on the next page. I think that the feature of this time is that the discount is for all models regardless of the existence of ETC, and that the area is limited, but I will explain it on a later page .
In addition, I will inform you again about the opening ceremony of the day. I would be very grateful if many people could participate.
Attachment 1 is the toll and regular fare. Attachment 2 is the target area, starting from Okazaki IC in the south, going north to Chuo Expressway, Tomei ring, Meishin, Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway in the south, Asahi IC in the east, west Is Kanazawa IC, but KanazawaNishi IC and KanazawaHigashi IC will be treated as indicated by this asterisk. The next page is the price after applying the discount.
The next page is the location map and detailed map. Tokai-Hokuriku Expwy has a total length of 185km and the construction section is 24.9km. Next is HidaKiyomi IC and a photo of Shirakawa Bridge. Considering cultural heritage, Shirakawa-go is designed with consideration for the structure, color, and height of the bridge.
From the next page on Attachment 3, the Tokai region and the Hokuriku region are close by all means. It is about 35 minutes in a large size and the distance is reduced by about 65km. Next, it may act as an alternative to general roads, but until now, general roads have become impassable during disasters, and during that time Expressway has played a role. That is to be further strengthened. ②－2, the completion of the network means the completion of a large network from the Hokuriku Expwy route, Tokai-Hokuriku Expwy route, and Chuo Expressway to the Joshinetsu route, increasing reliability. is.
Next is the emergency medical system. There is no large hospital in Shirakawa-go, and it is necessary to use the Red Cross Hospital in Takayama, but now it takes 85 minutes, but it takes 40 minutes.
Next is the contribution to the global environment by improving the atmospheric environment.
⑤ promotes the location of companies in the Hokuriku region, and as you can see here, quite a lot of planning is underway, and of course this is a great opportunity for the completion of roads. .
Next is wide-area tourism, and the Chubu region is rich in tourism resources, and we believe that the road network will be expected not only for domestic customers but also overseas customers. In the same way, I would like to see the development of Toyama and the Hida region.
The living area is Large, which indicates a two-hour area from Takayama or Shirakawa, but I think that a really big change will come here.
Then, regarding the cooperation between local governments, agreements are concluded in various places and exchanges between cities are progressing, but we can expect that the function will be further strengthened. Actually, we conducted a questionnaire survey and face-to-face survey for customers who use our roads, but as shown in this document, there are many people who want to use it by all means, such as shortening travel time or sightseeing. Utilization of land, etc. occupies a high rate.
The data on Fushiki-Toyama Port in Toyama has been included to enhance international competitiveness in the Pan-Japan Sea Economic Zone. It also mentions support for commuting to work and school, and promotion of employment of local governments along the line.
Although I was not able to explain slowly, I would be grateful if you could refer to the above materials and deepen your understanding of this opening.
That concludes the first explanation.

 

(Moderator)

Then, thank you if you have any questions.

(Reporter)

The total project cost for this opening section is 186 billion yen, but what is the total project cost of 185 km from Ichinomiya JCT to Oyabe Tonami JCT?

(Chairman)

There are no materials at hand right now, so I will let you know before this conference ends.

(Reporter)

Sorry, please tell us again why the opening of this section was delayed.

(Chairman)

The Hida Tunnel was a very difficult site, and it was a difficult construction that remains in history. This is a big reason. It took a considerable amount of time for the water to flow out and to penetrate, but the ground continued to deform after the penetration, and each time new construction was added. This means that it took time. The Hida tunnel passes under the mountain called Inukanzan. The altitude is 1,744 m, but there is 1,000 m above the ground from where the tunnel passes. Such construction is unprecedented, and no tunnel has been dug in the area so far. He said that the day of the opening was delayed with caution and caution, with safety first in mind. There are 10 tunnels in this section, the longest of which is 10.7 km at Hida Tunnel, but the remaining 9 have been completed a long time ago, and the overall check is in progress. It means that the Hida Tunnel was very difficult.

(Reporter)

At the time of the announcement at the time of the announcement that the opening will be delayed, the total project cost and income will be affected.Specifically, the fee revenue will be reduced by about 500 million yen, but the administration cost will be reduced by about 300 million yen, the difference is minus 2 It was about 100 million yen, but what will it look like in the end?

(Chairman)

A close examination revealed that the total project cost was a little over 1 billion yen. Then, about the ratio of income and expenses after the service, I mentioned 5: 3 the other day, but 3: 2 is minus 100 million yen. Since the opening of the service was delayed for three months, the decrease in income by 300 million yen and the cost of 200 million yen were eliminated, so the actual minus was 100 million. This is the number we know at the moment.

(Reporter)

That means that the total project cost has increased by 1 billion yen to 186 billion yen.

(Chairman)

The amount currently under agreement with the Organization is 77.3 billion yen. That is a little over 1 billion yen to 78.6 billion.

(Reporter)

There was a problem that the data of the polyethylene sheath used for the bridge was forged, but it seems that the sheath was also used on the Tokai-Hokuriku Expwy. I think that it was interrupted temporarily and resumed afterwards. Once again, the chairman's impact on safety and the construction of the Hida Tunnel have been delayed, can you tell us about it?

(Chairman)

We check our safety thoroughly and decide that it's okay. It's also about the bridge bridge and the Hida tunnel.

(Reporter)

Is it OK that sheath disguise has not been affected?

(Chairman)

I agree. It's okay. Do you have any supplements?

(Manager)

As a supplement to the sheath matter, there is no target bridge between Hida Kiyomi and Shirakawago. Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway there was a target bridge in a section that is currently being converted into four lanes.

(Reporter)

What is the schedule for reports and explanations to the chiefs of relevant local governments? Or are you already done?

(Chairman)

I talked from yesterday to this morning. When we postponed before, we asked everyone by hand to ask every corner, but this time it was about the opening, and we had already announced a notice of around July, so we have a really deep relationship I explained only to

(Reporter)

If you don't mind, could you tell me which one?

(Chairman)

First, the governors of Gifu and Toyama. And local municipalities. Hida city and Shirakawa village.

(Reporter)

What was the response?

(Chairman)

We had announced that it was around July, so I think you could understand that it was opened earlier in the month. We all knew that the construction work was more difficult than the locals, and once again we thought that we had done this to this day because we had such local understanding.

(Reporter)

Do you mean that the municipality you just mentioned was visited and talked?

(Chairman)

It means that our local business trip came and talked. I myself did not move. It's a good story, so I think anyone can ask. When it was a bad story, I asked myself to take the initiative. To be honest, it is such a place.

(Reporter)

And how about an economic organization?

(Chairman)

Regarding economic organizations, there are two economic organizations, the Chubu Federation and the Hokuriku Federation, respectively. As a matter of fact, we have not yet contacted both chairs, so we will contact them at the end of this conference.

(Reporter)

Please tell us your candid impressions and feelings once again that the road that runs through the north and south will finally be opened.

(Chairman)

15 years since the enforcement order for this section. It has been 10 years since I arrived at the most difficult Hida tunnel. I think this is the only reason we have high expectations for this road linking the two economic and social spheres, the Tokai region and the Hokuriku region, and I am very grateful. If this network could be useful for both economic and social reasons, there is nothing better than that.

(Reporter)

In Nagoya city, Expressway are often closed due to snow, but this section is a heavy snow area, so it is understood that this area is prepared for traffic if it is normal snow Are you sure?

(Chairman)

Yeah. One is snow melting equipment. Since there are 10 tunnels with a bridge inside, there are permanent facilities to melt snow at the places listed above. Also, the snow on the mountain must not fall into the road, so we are taking measures to prevent snow and taking measures to prevent traffic from closing as much as possible.

(Reporter)

Then, would it be possible to pass completely in normal winter snow, and in Nagoya city there could be a situation where you can run even if the road is closed.

(Chairman)

I'm not confident when I say "completely," but I think that's possible. After all, it is quite different between an area that is used to snow and an area that is not used to snow. Cars that pass through the Hida region are often taken into consideration from the beginning, such as installing chains, so in that sense I think it will be quite effective. However, although we will do our best to decide whether or not to close the road, it is impossible to know whether or not to go.

(Reporter)

The materials have merits for the Hida region and the Hokuriku region, but what about the merits for the Tokai region and Nagoya?

(Chairman)

In terms of economy, it is probably an industrial location. I think Nagoya is the most difficult area with a shortage of people. I think the fact is that even if you try to build a factory in this area, people are not easily gathered. In that regard, I think that the location of factories in other areas connected by roads is a major advantage for the Nagoya area.

(Reporter)

Does the fact that the factory location is progressing in Hokuriku help alleviate the labor shortage in Nagoya?

(Chairman)

I agree.

(Reporter)

In recent discussions on road-specific revenue resources, there has been debate about the necessity and priority of roads. How does the chairman perceive the necessity of this Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway? It may be a little tricky.

(Chairman)

No no. This is a very thank you question. I believe the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway is a first-class high-necessity road. First of all, the point is to revitalize the industry and economy just mentioned. According to the Hokuriku Economic Federation survey, it is a bit old, but the annual economic effect is 730 billion yen. However, since the comparison target is 1999, it is a little old. That is one. Then it's sightseeing. I hope, but I think that not only domestic tourism but also foreign tourists will increase in the future. "Visit Japan" plans to have 10 million people in 2010. The plan is to double what was originally about 5 million, and now it's about 8.5 million. It is not so much that great changes are still taking place at the moment, but if the number of foreign tourists increases to 20 million or 30 million in the future, in the Chubu region, which is a treasure trove of tourism resources, you will get off at the Chubu International Airport. People who go round and round to Kansai Airport or go to Mt. Fuji use buses and rental cars. Considering such things, there are still many places where road guidance is still inadequate, but by preparing for the long term, we recently issued a new English road map, We are going to do various things, such as preparing a web page and examining signs in Korean and Chinese. Doing that will have a big effect. Also, as you can see in the data, I think that the significance of redundancy as an alternative route in the event of a major disaster is very large.

(Reporter)

I was talking about the location of Nagoya and Hokuriku, but compared to Hokuriku Expressway, it is only 35 minutes for large freight cars and 15 minutes for passenger cars, but is the factory location still changing? If you save 2 hours and 3 hours, you can see.

(Chairman)

Although there is certainly such an aspect, it is important that there is an alternative when one road is closed due to a major accident or the like. I think it is very important for business owners. We had a tough time following the Niigata earthquake, but I think we were able to cover it to some extent because there was a road, even if it was a little detour. As I also put in a document case of now, Hokuriku Expressway if there is, Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway if there is, Chuo Expressway when the network comes can ensure that there is road-Joshinetsu, very is peace of mind at the time of emergency I think it is big. And because of the punctuality, it is important that people and things can move in a predictable amount of time. It is important that the time is shortened by one hour, but being able to move in a predictable time means that, for example, in the case of the manufacturing industry, it is very effective to make a production plan in that time, so it is very effective I think there is.

(Reporter)

How do you see the change in traffic volume through all traffic, and how do you see the change in traffic volume that is now being redirected to Toyama via the Hokuriku Expressway?

(Chairman)

It is estimated that the daily traffic volume of the section to be opened this time will be about 3,000 vehicles. I think it will be around 5,500 after a while. It is necessary to think a bit conservatively about what traffic will be in winter, but during the summer sightseeing season, the school will be in summer vacation in July, and the discount until the end of October is the tourist season That said, how much traffic here is our primary concern. This is where you can only find out if you open it. The Shin-Meishin Expressway, which was opened earlier, also said roughly 14,000 to 15,000 cars at first, but there is about 28,000 traffic, and roughly 14,000 cars have moved from the current Meishin. It is about twice as much as expected. I really hope that this Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway also so. I want to try it out and get a better idea of the actual situation.

(Reporter)

I would like to ask you about the price setting, but if you are a regular car between the newly opened Shirakawago IC and HidaKiyomi IC, it is set at 1,200 yen, but this is a normal price or it is set slightly higher Please tell me if you are.

(Chairman)

The price is set as Hida special section, and the price is slightly higher than ordinary roads. This is the normal fee.

(Reporter)

What is the reason for the high setting?

(Chairman)

The difficulty of tunnel construction, and the size of the actual cost. The repayment takes a long time to the organization. Therefore, there is a set standard, and the normal price is set according to it. It is high in such circumstances.

(Reporter)

What is the distance between HidaKiyomi IC and Shirakawago IC unless it is a special rate?

(Chairman)

If you look at this price list, it is 1,200 yen for ordinary cars. The fare for the Hida special section determined by an agreement with JICA is about 1.6 times the normal fare.

(Chairman)

Did you get the data from the question you just made? You asked about the total construction cost of 185km.

(Manager)

The total project cost of 185km between the Ichinomiya JCT and the Oyabe Tonami JCT, where you have questions, is about ¥ 1,220 billion.

(Reporter)

I would like to check the price on page 9. How much is the difference between the 249km via Meishin / Hokuriku Expressway and the 185km via Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway from Ichinomiya JCT to Oyabe Tonami JCT?

(Chairman)

It's like how much 6,000 yen is going to cost 5,000, but please explain to those who understand.

(team leader)

In the case of actual use, it will be from the IC instead of the JCT, so the closest example is that if you use the Ichinomiya IC-Toyama IC, the fare via Hokuriku Expressway Express is 6,200 yen was. This fare will be ¥ 5,350, as the Tokai-Hokuriku Expressway runs through this time. By the way, the price calculation rule is that the customer will calculate the fee on the premise that the shortest and cheapest route is used, so the cost will be 5,350 yen regardless of which route is used.

(Reporter)

It is said that the whole line will be opened in July, but there are still sections that are in service with provisional 2 lanes, so I think that it is one issue to change to 4 lanes, but what do you think about that area?

(Chairman)

I think it is a very important task for us in the future. To achieve that, we need to get the approval of various stakeholders, so this is the point before, but we consider this as an issue enough. As you know, we are currently working on four lanes from Hyogatake to Shirotori, and we will open them sequentially from this year to next year. What remains to be done from the Shirotori is an issue that remains, and we would like to work hard to make it happen. It is not something that can be determined solely by our company, so we think it is a future task.

(Moderator)

This is the end of today's press conference. Thank you very much.

(Chairman)

Thank you very much.