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In Japan, the Kanmon Roadway Tunnel (関門国道トンネル, kanmon kokudō tonneru) carries National Route 2 under the Kanmon Straits.[1] At the time of its construction, it was the longest undersea highway in the world. [2] It opened in 1958. The overall length is 3,461 metres (11,355 ft) meters, and it is 58 metres (190 ft) below sea level at the deepest point. [2]The endpoints are in Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi and Moji-ku, Kitakyūshū.[1] According to a United Press report at the time, 53 workers were killed during its construction, and it was second only to the Mersey Railway tunnel in length for an underwater tunnel. [3]
 | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Line |  National Route 2 |
| Location | Honshu-Kyushu |
| Coordinates | 33°57′48.6″N 130°57′33.6″E / 33.963500°N 130.959333°E |
| Operation | |
| Opened | 1958 |
| Technical | |
| Line length | 3,461 m (11,355 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 58 m below sea level |
Work on the Kanmon Roadway Tunnel began in 1937, but was halted in 1939 by World War II. Work resumed in 1952, and the tunnel was officially opened on March 9, 1958. [2] The event was marked by a Japanese commemorative postage stamp. Major repairs were conducted in 2008.
Under terms of Article 46.3 of Road Act, driving by vehicles that carry dangerous goods are either prohibited or limited strictly.
Pedestrian Tunnel
editA separate pedestrian passage exists, built directly underneath the roadway tunnel.[4] Due to the advantage of having elevators on either side, the pedestrian segment is only 780 meters long, allowing one to walk under the strait between Honshu and Kyushu in 15-20 minutes.[4] As of 2024 the tunnel is free to pass for pedestrians, and 20 yen for bicycles and motorbikes, both of which must be dismounted and pushed through the tunnel.[5]
Coordinates
edit- Shimonoseki entrance for cars: 33°58′30″N 130°56′51″E / 33.975115°N 130.947556°E
- Shimonoseki entrance for pedestrians and bicycles: 33°57′55″N 130°57′22″E / 33.965351°N 130.956028°E
- Moji entrance for cars: 33°57′05″N 130°58′08″E / 33.951385°N 130.968889°E
- Moji entrance for pedestrians and bicycles: 33°57′41″N 130°57′47″E / 33.961346°N 130.962944°E
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b 第２版,世界大百科事典内言及, 日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ),ブリタニカ国際大百科事典 小項目事典,百科事典マイペディア,精選版 日本国語大辞典,旺文社日本史事典 三訂版,デジタル大辞泉,世界大百科事典. "関門トンネルとは". コトバンク (in Japanese). Retrieved 2021-08-12.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ a b c "Kanmon Undersea Tunnel Opened", Japan Report March 5, 1958, p. 8
- ^ "Japanese Tunnel Open— Vehicle and Pedestrian Tube Links Two Main Islands", The New York Times, March 10, 1958, p. 8
- ^ a b "Kanmon Tunnel". Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO). Archived from the original on 2024-07-14. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
- ^ "Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel". Chugoku Region Tourism Guide. Archived from the original on 2024-07-14. Retrieved 2024-07-14.
