Tokyo's Nihonbashi bridge to see light again with expressway removal

Better late than never. The J government ruined Tokyo’s beauty all for the 64 Olympics. So much cheaper and easier to build expressways over the city’s intricate waterways. I remember the first time my family came over to visit me in Tokyo. They said it’s an amazing city but incredibly ugly and can’t compare to London, Paris or Rome.

built as part of the network connecting 1964 Tokyo Olympics venues with Haneda airport.

And it's amazing that today, there is no direct dedicated rail link to Haneda.

Nihonbashi was the center of old Edo, more so than Ueno.

2040...erh, ok? better than never?

Expressways are a big eye sore in Tokyo, lived in other key capitals before, Nagoya, Osaka, Fukuoka, Kanazawa etc. and my first impression as a daily driver after moving to Tokyo was what a dark, lonely city.. where is everyone? Tokyo people are crowded inside big train stations, depatos, shopping streets and underground labyrinths, if you drive around the city hub you barely find people or get any sunlight under these countless expressways, everywhere else in Japan is pretty open, it feels good to have a walk in the open city without elbowing each other. Many of my clients coming from abroad got wowed by the fact you can get to the expressways from virtually any point in the city, but there is a price..hopefully all gone when we finally get to start driving those flying cars

So tax money (320 billion yen) will make a few rich people double the value of their property?

That’s pretty cool.

Even the concrete bridge is not much to look at though, it would be awesome if they could build a wooden footbridge over the river too, like four centuries ago.

So tax money (320 billion yen) will make a few rich people double the value of their property?

Did you not read the last paragraph?

It’s a beautiful view at night, but like a drunken mistake romantically, dawn reveals the true horror of what you are stuck with.

2041?? Talk about some long range planning!!

I think that too much civic vandalism has been done to Nihonbashi (and Tokyo in general) to make any difference now. Why on earth was that beautiful building with a dome right next to Nihonbashi bridge replaced with a bland office block. I also think that the demolition of the old Harajuku station was appalling.

One wonders if the people who condemn expressways so vigorously avoid using them and use surface streets instead, you know, out of principle? And don't tell me to use public transport for a large shopping trip to Costco or Home Depot.

Finally! I like the Nihonbashi and neighbouring districts where traditional Tokyo still remains.

One wonders if the people who condemn expressways so vigorously...

That isn't the point. There will be a new expressway, but underground. As the article explains, this eyesore was created because the authorities didn't conduct adequate appropriation measures due to the Olympics (which so often ruin sensible planning, anyway)

And it's amazing that today, there is no direct dedicated rail link to Haneda.

I guess you have never heard of the Tokyo Monorail.

That isn't the point. There will be a new expressway, but underground. As the article explains, this eyesore was created because the authorities didn't conduct adequate appropriation measures due to the Olympics (which so often ruin sensible planning, anyway)

exactly! there are also (hundreds of?) thousands of people living in condos and they cant even open their windows or enjoy their balconies because of noise pollution, reason these units from 3～6 floor are always the cheapest (even cheaper than 1st floor with less noise). I use the expressways 1～3x a week but always from/to other cities, needless stress if you're departing and going somewhere within the 23-ward, merging with cars coming from the whole country. Nagoya sakura-doori, Osaka midousuji are always a pleasant drive, in Tokyo you're always driving under expressways

A similar thing happened in San Francisco: a God-ugly elevated expressway was built just along the bay, annihilating the atmosphere, but when it fell down in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, everyone said "Hooray!" and didn't rebuild it.

@Alan Harrison agree the old Harajuku station was a bit unique and a focal point for the area. Now replaced by something generic, perhaps they could have done some discreet upgrades keeping the feel of the original. A lot of Tokyo is like that unfortunately, tear down the old and replace with something functional, efficient but bland and forgettable.

Excellent news.

Excellent news. For all Japan's faults, you really can't fault the constant improvements to transportation Infastructure.

OH Rodney, stop your whining and read the last paragraph.

About time. I think they should go one step further. As a jobs program and a way to stimulate the economy, they should take steps to bury the entire Shuto in Tokyo.

I agree with Nadrew: there should be a jobs program as well as tie-ins with universities to encourage more Japanese youngsters to get into engineering.

Great news..

Go Tokyo!!!..

They said it’s an amazing city but incredibly ugly and can’t compare to London, Paris or Rome.

What an absurd comparison. London, Paris, and Rome weren't firebombed into oblivion.

Local residents had long protested that the expressway spoils the view...

There are local residents? That area is chock full of nothing but office buildings.

hat isn't the point. There will be a new expressway, but underground.

Yep, tax money just grows on trees. Pluck a few bushels full, tear down an existing serviceable expressway and dig a very expensive tunnel to replace it.

nice way to kill the river systems......uncovering the rivers (and comprehensively cleaning them up) in the Tokyo-Yokohama area should be a necessity