Skip to main content

NEXCO to remove ceiling tiles in nine of its Japan expressway tunnels

Central Nippon Expressway Co (NEXCO) East Japan is to remove ceiling tiles in nine of its expressway tunnels in Japan, less than a year after nine people died following the collapse of Sasago tunnel in Yamanashi Prefecture. A company spokesperson has reportedly said that the firm is shutting down the tunnels on the Kan-Etsu Expressway and the Hokuriku Expressway during evenings until July 2013, to enable the removal of the existing tiles. After the Sasago tunnel collapse in December 2012, an emergency inspe
June 3, 2013 Read time: 1 min
Central Nippon Expressway Co (NEXCO) East Japan is to remove ceiling tiles in nine of its expressway tunnels in Japan, less than a year after nine people died following the collapse of Sasago tunnel in Yamanashi Prefecture.

A company spokesperson has reportedly said that the firm is shutting down the tunnels on the Kan-Etsu Expressway and the Hokuriku Expressway during evenings until July 2013, to enable the removal of the existing tiles.

After the Sasago tunnel collapse in December 2012, an emergency inspection of the tunnel’s southbound lane found defects in 670 locations. In around 632 locations, the bolts that fix the ceiling panels to the tunnel were said to be corroded or loose, while there was a crack in the tunnel's concrete ceiling.

Related Content

  • Concrete removal using high pressure water jets
    May 8, 2012
    The use of high-pressure water jets to remove old concrete on structures is becoming increasingly popular. Hydrodemolition of concrete structures by robotic equipment is becoming an increasingly used method for removing deteriorated concrete with high-pressure water techniques.
  • India’s longest tolled expressway is open to traffic
    January 2, 2013
    Earlier this year, a new expressway was opened to traffic in India, adding connectivity to the country’s road network - Mike Woof reports. India’s economic growth has fuelled a massive construction boom in the country. Road building has been set as a priority by the Indian Government to help ensure continued economic development and improve connectivity between major population centres. One major new expressway has recently opened to traffic, having been designed to international standards and provides insi
  • French road deaths down 11% in 2013, compared to previous year
    January 22, 2014
    The number of road deaths in France last year fell by 11% to 3,250, 403 fewer than in 2012. Revealing the figures, Minister of the Interior Manuel Valls said they were the lowest number since the first national road death statistics were recorded in 1948. Deaths of 18-24 year olds on French roads during 2013 were down 10% year-on-year, with road deaths of car occupants down 14%. Deaths of cyclists on French roads were down 8%, pedestrian road deaths fell by 7% and 3% fewer motorcyclists were killed on the
  • Danish-German Fehmarn Belt road and rail tunnel hits funding snag
    July 9, 2015
    A Danish newspaper has learned of a significant European Union funding gap for one of Europe’s most ambitious transportation road and rail projects. The Fehmarn Belt Fixed Link would connect the German island of Fehmarn with the Danish island of Lolland. A submersed tunnel will cross the 18km-wide Fehmarn Belt, or Fehmarn Strait, in the Baltic Sea. Last February news emerged that contractors had revamped their cost estimates, adding nearly €1.2 billion to the project. This put the final cost of the 18