East Japan Railway Co. is planning to develop a new access line from central Tokyo to Haneda Airport in a bid to meet growing demand of passengers. The plan, revealed by the company’s officials at a council meeting on transport policy on August 19, includes construction of a 5.7km tunnel between the freight terminal station in Shinagawa-ku and a new station to be built 40m underground of the airport terminal for domestic flights. The total construction cost is estimated at 320 billion yen. It is projected that it will take three year for design and seven for construction.

The new line will branch off in three routes; Higashi Yamate Route for Tokyo station, Nishi Yamate Line for Shinjuku station, and Seaside Route for Shin Kiba station. On Higashi Yamate route, the 5.6km unused freight line will be renovated into the passenger line to link the freight terminal to near Tamachi Station where the new access line connects with existing Tokaido Line. Nishi Yamate Route and Seaside Route will use existing Rinkai Line in part.

With the new routes open, the travel time from the airport to Tokyo station will be shortened to 18 minutes from current 28 and it will take as short as 23 minutes to Shinjuku, compared with 46 minutes it now takes. On Seaside Route, the trip will only take 20 minutes, about a half of the present time. The opening of the new lines will also give back-ups at the time of disasters. Stronger international competitiveness of the city of Tokyo and other effects are expected by relevant entities.

JR East is considering starting partial operation to Shin Kiba station by 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, which is expected to strengthen passenger capacity to several Olympic venues planned in the bay area. (2014/08/21)