Official

The map was created based on the "Chuo-ku Area Map" near the "Monument of the Ruins of Shinkawa" (information board installed by the Tokyo Metropolitan Construction Bureau in March 2006).

Until now, we have introduced seven bridges three times under the title of "9 bridges over Shinkawa", of which "Minato Bridge" and "Toyomi Bridge" span the Nihonbashi River, "Ringishi Bridge" and "Shin Kamejima Bridge", "Kamejima Bridge", "Takahashi" and "Minami Takahashi" span the Kamejima River.

This series also has two remaining bridges, and this time it is Chuo-ohashi Bridge, a bridge that spans the Sumida River, the mother river of Tokyo.

<Sumida River>

The Sumida River is a first-class river with a total length of 23.5 km that flows into Tokyo Bay, starting from the Iwabuchi Suimon in Kita-ku, Tokyo (or link to the Kanto Regional Development Bureau (Arakawa Upper River Office) website of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism). It used to be the main stream of Arakawa.

The Arakawa Floodway, which was completed in 1930 (1930), started the excavation project in 1911 (1911), and was completed in 1930 (1930), along with the Arakawa River, the Kanto Regional Development Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) and the Arakawa River were officially flowed in 1965 (1965).

The origin of the name Sumida River is that (1) Sumida Village (now the northern part of Sumida-ku), (2) the curved part of the river "fields made in the corner", and (3) the "clear river" are accented. There are various theories.

Chuo-ohashi Bridge seen from Ishikawajima Park (☎ to Chuo-ku homepage). River City 21 Shinkawa (completed in June 1995) stands on the north side of Nishizume (pictured on the right side of the bridge in the photo).

Chuo-ohashi Bridge was completed on August 26, 1993 (1993), and the opening ceremony was held on the same day. The Sumida River, which flows through Chuo-ku, will be the second new bridge after Tsukiji Ohashi (opened on November 4, 2018 (opened on November 4, 2018). The Ueno Tsukishima Line Chuo-ohashi Bridge Branch Line, which connects Shinkawa 2-chome and Tsukuda 1-2-chome, passes through Tokyo Metropolitan Road No. 463, and passes from Shinkawa to Okawabata / River City 21.

The form of Chuo-ohashi Bridge is called "Shaping Bridge", where a reverse V-shaped tower is installed on Hashigami, and the bridge girder is directly connected with 32 cables (8 x 4) stretched diagonally from the top It is a bridge that supports. This shaping bridge was the first in the Sumida River to be constructed in 1977 (Shin-ohashi Bridge was constructed in 1693 (1693)), and Chuo-ohashi Bridge was the second in the shading bridge after Shinohashi Bridge. You. Because of its structure, the Shahari Bridge can fly the span (distance between piers) after suspension bridge, so it can be built over a wide area of the river (see “2. Minato Bridge (Minatobashi)” on Minato Bridge and Toyomi Bridge (July 2023 blog). 。

[Bridges]

<Format>  2-diameter steel diagonal bridge

<Bridge length>  210.7m

<width>  25.0m (roadway 11.0m, sidewalk 6.5m x 2)

<Completion>  August 26, 1993 (1993)

<Administrator>  Tokyo

<Employer>  Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Industries (currently IHI) Yokohama Plant

[IHI Corporation]

〒135-8710

Toyosu IHI Building, 1-1 Toyosu 3-chome, Koto-ku, Tokyo

TEL 03-6204-7800 (Representative)

FAX 03-6204-8800

https://www.ihi.co.jp/

The opening ceremony was held on August 26, 1993. The building on the right is River City 21 Shinkawa under construction (provided by Kyobashi Library).

Chuo-ohashi Bridge seen from the Sumida River in Urara in spring, Tsukuda Park (taken around 2:00 pm on March 30, 2022 (2022)). Until 1979 (1979), there was Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Industries (currently "IHI") here.

Below) The rainy season dawned, and it was the hottest season of the year (taken in the same place as the photo above on July 23, 2024 (2024) at around 0:00 pm).

The bridge girder at Chuo-ohashi Bridge was built at the Yokohama Plant of Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Industries (now IHI).

The company roots in the Ishikawajima Shipyard, which was founded in 1853 in Ishikawajima (now Tsukuda, Chuo-ku) in 1853, and until the closure of the Tsukuda Plant in 1979 (1979), various industries, including shipbuilding, have always been producing heavy industrial products that will be the pioneer of the times. For this reason, Azuma-bashi Bridge (1887), Umaya Bridge (1893), Kachidokibashi (1940), and Shinohashi (1977) (1977) (1977), and many Tsukuda Bridge (1977) (1940), which are the first major railway bridges in the Sumida River (1977). In particular, at Tsukuda-ohashi Bridge, which is adjacent to the downstream side of Chuo-ohashi Bridge, we took advantage of the location of the Tsukuda Plant, which was close to the bridge site, transported huge blocks produced at the plant by sea crane and connected them at the bridge site for the first time in Japan, greatly shortening the construction period.

By the way, the plans and designs of Chuo-ohashi Bridge are as follows.

<Bridge format>

There are a total of 49 proposals, which are deliberated and examined by a selection committee composed of stakeholders in Tokyo. (1) There is a restriction on the girder height due to the road conditions across the Sumida River, and (2) a flat curve on the road It became a symbol of the Okawabata redevelopment area, and it was necessary to have a uniqueness that can be easily identified as a bridge over the Sumida River.

<width>

①The width of the sidewalk is 6.5m x 2 and the width of the roadway is 11.0m (total width: 25m) in consideration of the fact that it is surrounded by gentle slope embankments and elements as part of the park and that it is used as a evacuation route in the event of a disaster.

<Location of the pier>

①It is necessary to avoid installing foundations on a straight line connecting the main route center of the Eitai Bridge, which is adjacent to the upstream side, and Tsukuda-ohashi Bridge, which is adjacent to the upstream side and Tsukuda-ohashi Bridge, which is adjacent to the downstream side. (2) The Chuo-ohashi Bridge is a curved bridge with curves on the road, and it is necessary to reduce the horizontal force on the top of the towers.

<The shape of the bridge girder>

Considering the approach from Shinkawa / Yaesu-dori to Tsukuda, the plane shape of the right curve (when approached from Shinkawa) was changed.

<Design of Tower>

It has become a symbol of the Okawabata redevelopment area and needs a personality that can be easily identified as a bridge over the Sumida River. Based on what was called, it was produced in the image of a helmet.

Regarding Armor Island, the "Edo Famous Zoukai" (Edo guidebook published in 1834 in the late Edo period (1834) and 7 (1836) in the same year) "Island lined up north of Tsukuda Island. In the past, it is called Ishikawajima (also known as Yazaemondonoshima), in the days of General Iemitsu, Ishikawa's predecessor worshiped this island. In 1792 (1792), Mr. Ishikawa replaced his mansion in Nagatacho (in Chiyoda-ku), and a crowd was built on the site. The old name of this island was written as Morishima in the ancient Edo map of the Bunki era. He continued to write, "This island is called Armor Island. Once upon a time, the Taro Hachiman Yoshi family worshiped Hachimangu Shrine (with armor as sacred object of worship). During the time of Ishikawa Osumimori residence, it was in the garden, but now it is said that it is located within the precincts of Tepposu Inari. (Omitted) ", etc. And this Hachimangu Shrine (Yahata Shrine) is still on the grounds as the auxiliary shrine of Tepposu Inari Shrine (1-6-7 Minato, Chuo-ku). After visiting main hall, I always visit auxiliary shrine.

Osship Zackin 1937's "Messenger" standing upstream (in the direction of Eitai Bridge) on the upper pier (provided by Kyobashi Library).

As mentioned above, Ishikawajima was formerly called Morishima or Armor Island, but in 1626 (1626), Hachizaemon Ishikawa, the boatman, worshiped this island from the Shogunate as a site and lived for generations. It came to be called Ishikawajima.

Later, according to the proposal of Heizo Hasegawa, known for the Onihei Crime Book, the old man, Sadanobu Matsudaira, retired from his family register in 1790 (1790) as a facility to return to society. "People's Ashoshoba" was created. This is the headwater of the Japanese prison today.

In 1853 (1853), Perry arrived on a black ship and felt the threat, and the Shogunate delegated the establishment and operation of the shipyard to the Mito Domain, Nariaki Tokugawa, the first Western-style shipyard in Japan, Ishikawajima Shipyard "has been born.

After the Meiji Restoration, the government-run shipyard was relocated to Yokosuka in 1876 (1876), but Tomiji Hirano, who knew the relocation, rented the site (later paid), and Japan's first private Western-style shipyard "Ishikawajima Hirano Shipyard" was established.

Later, "Ishikawajima Hirano Shipyard" was renamed "Tokyo Ishikawajima Shipyard" in 1893, and Eiichi Shibusawa became chairman. "Ishikawajima Heavy Industries" merged in 1945 (1945) and "Ishikawajima Heavy Industries" and "Harima Shipyard" merged in 1960 (1960) to form "Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Industries". .

Then, starting with the oil crisis in 1973 (1973), the shipbuilding recession and soaring yen prices have occurred, and high economic growth has come to an end. At this time, the Tsukuda Plant had problems with operations due to the growing size of products and changes in the surrounding environment as residential land development progressed. Therefore, in 1979 (1979), the Tsukuda Plant was finally closed and the site was sold to the Japan Housing Corporation (currently the UR Urban Organization) and Mitsui Fudosan in order to consolidate and reorganize the plant.

At that time, the population of Chuo-ku peaked in 1953 (1953), and the so-called hollowing out of the city center was progressing. Under such circumstances, the Okawabata River City 21 Plan, which develops the site of this factory, was positioned as part of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government's My Town Tokyo Initiative, which aims to restore the living space in the city center.

The bridge of Chuo-ohashi Bridge is also included in the plan, and the completion of the bridge in 1993 (1993) must have dramatically improved the convenience of everyone living in Okawabata River City 21.

Regarding the history of Ishikawajima, from the establishment of the shipyard at the Ishikawajima Museum (located to the homepage of the museum) (1-11-8 Tsukuda, Chuo-ku) on the first floor of Pier West Square in Okawabata River City 21. You can learn along with the footprints of IHI up to now. Please drop in.

1876 (1876) Tsukuda Island in all maps of Tokyo. Originally Ishikawajima and Tsukuda Island were independent islands, but later they were reclaimed and integrated into the current form. On Ishikawajima, you can see the words "Zoufunesho", "Zoufune bureau", and "Tokyo Prefectural prison". In addition, the square island south of Tsukuda Island is "Tsukuda Island Battery" (built in 1864 (1864)) ("Chuo-ku history map [Tsukishima Hen]" (Kyobashi Library, Chuo-ku, 1994 (Published on March 22, 1994)).

It is Ishikawajima Shipyard around 1904 (provided by IHI).

Below) Ishikawajima Heavy Industries seen from the sky. This photo was taken in the Showa era, and you can clearly see the topography of Ishikawajima, located at the branch of the Sumida River, and the entire factory (provided by Kyobashi Library).

Photos used on the cover of the pamphlet of the Ishikawajima Museum. Photos of the museum and exhibits are collaged (provided by IHI).

The Ishikawajima Museum is located on the first floor of Pier West Square on the right side of the right after crossing Chuo-ohashi Bridge from Shinkawa. The museum is also certified as a "Chuo-ku Machikado Exhibition Hall" (or link to the homepage of the "Chuo-ku Machikado Exhibition Hall Management Council").

Lower right) This is a guide map of the museum at the monument of "Japan's first private Western-style shipyard birthplace" in Ishikawajima Park.

When crossing Yaesu Street from Tokyo Station Yaesu Exit and crossing the Sumida River, Chuo-ohashi Bridge, which has a reverse V-shaped tower, is exactly the gate (gate) of Okawabata River City 21. I think the characteristics of Chuo-ohashi Bridge are this tower and cable, and the bridge girder that curves right toward Tsukuda.

Operation Okawabata was proposed by the Chuo-ku Redevelopment Council in 1972 (1972), and in 1979 (1979), the Japan Housing Corporation (currently UR Urban Organization) and Mitsui Fudosan acquired the site of the Tsukuda Plant from Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Industries (currently "IHI") and started the Okawabata 2 River Development Project. The plan of the Okawabata River City 21 Development Project, which is a concrete project, also stated "new construction of roads and bridges."

In addition to the construction of the planned site, it also included a new bridge over the Sumida River and accessing the Yaesu Exit of Tokyo Station via the Shinkawa area on the opposite bank. And that bridge became Chuo-ohashi Bridge.

The "Okawabata River City 21 Development Project" was a large-scale redevelopment project that was started in 1986 (1986) and took over more than 20 years until completion in 2010 (2010). The development of this area was a pioneer in the subsequent development of the waterfront in Tokyo, creating a new cityscape.

Origin of Okawabata ※ Reprinted from the explanation board in Tsukuda Park on the south side of Chuo-ohashi Bridge Higashizume.

In 1972 (1972), the Chuo-ku Redevelopment Council submitted a "Report on the Basic Plan for Redevelopment in Chuo-ku, Tokyo", and "Operation Okawabata" was proposed.

1979 (1979) Tokyo conducted the "Okawabata Redevelopment Basic Plan Survey". The Japan Housing Corporation and Mitsui Fudosan acquired the site of the factory from Ishikawajima Harima Heavy Industries.

1981 (1981) Adopted a specific residential urban area comprehensive maintenance promotion project district (current residential urban area maintenance comprehensive support project).

1982 (1982) Chuo-ku formulated the "Basic Concept for Redevelopment in Chuo-ku, Tokyo".

1984 (1984) The Minister of Construction approved the “Okawabata District Specific Residential Urban Area Comprehensive Development Promotion Project Development Plan”. City planning decision. Establishment of Tsukuda and Shinkawa Ryokuchi, Ishikawajima Park.

1986 (1986) Construction started.

Construction started in 1987 (1987).

1988 (1988) Relocated Tsukudajima Elementary School, opened Tsukuda Park (1st term), started entering the first term of housing, and opened Tsukishima Station on the Eidan Yurakucho Line.

1989 (1989) Tsukuda Park opened (2nd phase).

In 1990 (1990), Ishikawajima Park opened (1st term), Tsukuda Nursery School opened.

1993 (1993) Tsukuda Park was opened (whole), Chuo-ohashi Bridge was opened.

2000 (2000) opened Ishikawajima Park (2nd term), opened Tsukishima Station on the Toei Oedo Line.

Since ancient times, bridges have been supporting economic activities as infrastructure that connects villages and towns, crossing obstacles such as rivers and valleys, allowing people to come and go. With the opening of Chuo-ohashi Bridge, it is possible to go from River City 21 to Tokyo Station in about 2 km in a straight line distance and about 12 minutes by bus, and I think that the convenience of everyone living in this area has been greatly improved.

I sometimes cross Chuo-ohashi Bridge and go to Tsukuda during lunch break and return, but each time I feel the value of Chuo-ohashi Bridge like myself.

Last but not least, I was very grateful to Mr. Takeuchi of the IHI Corporate Communications Department for providing various information on creating this blog. Thank you very much for taking this opportunity.

Left) Night view of Okawabata River City 21 seen from Eitai Bridge. It's like Manhattan in New York (I've never been there.…I'm sorry.

Chuo-ohashi Bridge on the evening of the lunar eclipse. About 7:00 pm on November 8, 2022 (2022), we photographed from Minato Park (we link to Chuo-ku homepage).

[Main References, Materials, etc.]

・"Bridges and Foundations (Vol. 27, No. 3)" (Teruo Naruse et al. "Planning and Design of Chuo-ohashi Bridge") Construction Book, issued on March 1, 1993

・"DOBOKU Gigi Association Tokyo (No. 45)" (Takashi Ito, "Shitacho Hashishitacho, Tokyo 4 Tsukuda-ohashi Bridge, Chuo-ohashi Bridge") Tokyo Civil Engineering Management Engineers Association, December 2009 Issued

・"Chuo-ku Cultural Properties Survey Report Vol. 5, Chuo-ku Bridge / Hashizume Plaza-Chuo-ku Modern Bridge Survey-" Chuo-ku Board of Education, issued on March 2, 1998

・Akio Kurebayashi "100 bridges in Tokyo +100" Tokyo Metropolitan Shinposha, published on October 10, 2018.

・Masao Iida "History of the Sumida River as Seen from the Bridge" Bungeisha, published on June 15, 2002.

・IHI Corporate Communications Department “From Ishikawajima to IHI Ishikawajima Museum” (brochure)

・"City and Governance (Vol.32)" (Kazuaki Kurimura "City Development in Chuo-ku that has regained housing-To leave" people "in the town "-") Japan Urban Center, September 2019 Issued

・“Concrete Engineering (Vol.25, No.1)” (Toshio Ai, “Development of Okawabata River City 21 Development Project”) Japan Concrete Engineering Association, January 1987

・Tokyo Metropolitan Construction Bureau website (Koto Flood Control Office)＞Special Feature＞The story of the river）