Official
Junctions surrounding Ginza-Shiodome JCT, Nishi Ginza JCT, Kyobashi JCT
In an article a year ago, Chuo-ku is the city with the most junctions in Japan! I wrote that.
At that time, we introduced Edobashi JCT and Hakozaki JCT, which are particularly famous junctions in the city.
Today, as a sequel for a year, I would like to show you three junctions surrounding the city of Ginza.
The first one is…It's Shiodome Junction.
At this junction, located at the border between Chuo-ku and Minato-ku, the southern section of the Yaesu Line (Y) branches off from the Metropolitan Expressway Toshin Beltway (C1).
When you enter from the south side, the Toshin Beltway lurks underground toward Higashiginza using a straight section right next to Hamarikyu Onshi Garden. On the other hand, the Yaesu Line curves westward and is connected to the Tokyo Kosoku Doro via an overpass.
Shiodome JCT, which has a multi-layered structure with entrances and toll booths overlap, is a junction but a straight line! That's the biggest highlight.
In the past, as shown in this photo, Shiodome JCT was clearly seen from the observation room of the World Trade Center Building in front of Hamamatsucho Station, but now the building is being dismantled for redevelopment.…。 I hope that an observation room will be set up in the rebuilt building.
There is a store just below! Nishi Ginza Junction
Next, I would like to introduce you to Nishi Ginza Junction.
Nishi-Ginza JCT is located at the border between Chuo-ku and Chiyoda-ku, and the northern section of the Metropolitan Expressway Yaesu Line (Y) branches off from Tokyo Kosoku Doro.
In this junction, the Yaesu Line dives from the elevated to the basement at once, and Tokyo Kosoku Doro draws a large curve and heads toward Kyobashi.
The biggest feature of Nishi-Ginza Junction is that the lower part is buildings such as the commercial facility "Ginza Ins" and the office of Tokyo Kosoku Doro. The space where the ceiling height gradually decreases as the Yaesu Line lies underground is also being used as a store. There is also an exit from Tokyo Metro Ginza 1-chome Station.
Since tenant fees for commercial facilities using underpasses such as Ginza Ins are used for construction and maintenance costs, tolls for Tokyo Kosoku Doro (Shiraoibashi-Nishi Ginza-Shiodome) are free. It is an epoch-making mechanism that will be the pioneer of the PFI business that is now commonplace.
You can often see such Nishi-Ginza Junction from the rooftop "Chirico Terrace" of Tokyu Plaza Ginza.
I can't see the whole picture! Kyobashi Junction
Today, the last thing I would like to introduce is Kyobashi Junction.
The entire Kyobashi JCT is located in Chuo-ku. It is a junction where branch lines branch from the Metropolitan Expressway Toshin Beltway (C1). This branch line immediately connects to Tokyo Kosoku Doro and heads toward Nishi-Ginza.
By the way, among the routes of the Metropolitan Expressway, there are No. 1 Haneda Line, No. 2 Meguro Line, No. 3 Shibuya Line.…And there are routes with serial numbers from No. 1 to No. 11, of which only "No. 8" is missing.
In fact, the branch line of the Toshin Beltway, which branches off at the Kyobashi JCT, corresponds to the legal "Tokyo Metropolitan Expressway Route 8".
Since there is only a small section from Kyobashi JCT to Shiraoibashi Relay Station, it is guided as a branch line of Toshin Beltway instead of Route 8.
The highlight of the Kyobashi JCT, which has such secrets, is that the height changes from the bottom of the Kaedegawa River to the level of elevated Tokyo Kosoku Doro. In particular, it is recommended to see it from Kuyasu Bridge. While utilizing the traces of the river that supported the water transportation of Edo, it can be seen that highways were built in a limited space and shifted to logistics and people flow by car.
What is the future of the three junctions surrounding Ginza?…？
By the way, today we introduced three junctions that are located around the city of Ginza.
(The map is created by processing "standard maps" from the Geographical Survey Institute's "Geographical Institute Map")
However, it has been decided that the Tokyo Kosoku Doro, the expressway surrounding Ginza, will be abolished as an expressway after the 2030s. The site is designed to be developed as a corridor where pedestrians can walk and move, taking advantage of the structure.
When the Tokyo Kosoku Doro is abolished, the three junctions introduced today are expected to change their roles or end their roles, and will undergo major changes in the coming decade or so.
Maybe a day will come when you can walk around the part that was Nishi Ginza Junction.…？ I would like to watch the changes in the city of Tokyo Kosoku Doro and Ginza, with a maniac expectation of that. Please pay attention to everyone!