Jōshin-etsu Expressway

Infobox_road
highway_name = Jōshin-etsu Expressway (上信越自動車道)
marker_



length = 204.9 km [cite web| url= http://www.ktr.mlit.go.jp/kyoku/road/jikoku/station/jousinetu.html | title= Road Timetable |author= Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Kanto Regional Development Bureau | accessdate= 2008-04-16 ]
established = 1980 [cite web| url= http://www2.tokai.or.jp/stt/road/expwyopn.html | title= Expressway Opening Dates | accessdate= 2008-04-16 ]
first_open =
starting_terminus = Fujioka Junction in Fujioka, Gunma

cities = Tomioka, Annaka, Saku, Komoro, Ueda, Chikuma, Nagano, Nakano, Myōkō
ending_terminus = Jōetsu Junction in Jōetsu, Niigata
The nihongo|Jōshin-etsu Expressway|上信越自動車道|Jōshin-etsu Jidōsha-dō is a national expressway in Japan. It is owned and operated by East Nippon Expressway Company.

Naming

nihongo|Jōshin-etsu|上信越 is a kanji acronym consisting of 3 characters, each representing the former names of the prefectures that the route traverses. nihongo|Kōzuke Province|上野国 consists of present-day Gunma Prefecture, nihongo|Shinano Province|信濃国 consists of present-day Nagano Prefecture, and nihongo|Echigo Province|越後国 consists of present-day Niigata Prefecture.

Officially, the expressway is referred to as the Kan-Etsu Expressway Jōetsu Route. This designation consists of the entire Jōshin-etsu Expressway as well as the Kan-Etsu Expressway beyond Fujioka Junction to Nerima Interchange (concurrent with the Kan-Etsu Expressway Niigata Route). [cite web| url= http://www.mlit.go.jp/road/ir/ir-yosan/h20/s07.pdf | title= High Standard Trunk Road Map |author= Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport | accessdate= 2008-04-13 | format=pdf]

Overview

The expressway begins at a junction with the Kan-Etsu Expressway in southern Gunma Prefecture and heads west, paralleling National Route 254 until Shimonita. From here the route branches north, passing Mount Myōgi, then heads west once more from Annaka. The route parallels National Route 18 from this point until the terminus. The expressway then follows a winding route through the mountainous area separating Gunma and Nagano Prefectures. From Saku, Nagano the route follows a northwesterly course, passing Mount Asama, until it reaches a junction with the Nagano Expressway near the city of Nagano. The route then heads north, following the east bank of the Chikuma River, before heading into the mountainous region separating Nagano and Niigata Prefectures. The expressway continues north through Niigata Prefecture, passing Mount Myōkō, and eventually terminating at a junction with the Hokuriku Expressway in Jōetsu near the Japan Sea coastline.

The first section was completed in 1980 and the entire route was completed in 1999. [cite web| url= http://www.dokokyo.or.jp/data/nenpyo/1999.htm | title= Construction History of Japan, 1999 |author= Japan Civil Engineering Contractors Association | accessdate= 2008-04-16] The expressway is 4 lanes from Fujioka Junction to Toyota-Iiyama Interchange. The remaining section from Toyota-Iiyama Interchange to Jōetsu Junction is 2 lanes, however construction is underway on the section from Toyota-Iiyama Interchange to Shinanomachi Interchange to increase the capacity to 4 lanes. It is expected to be completed in 2009. [cite web| url= http://www.e-nexco.co.jp/open_schedule/kanto/ | title= E-NEXCO Opening Schedule | accessdate= 2008-04-15 ]

List of interchanges and features

* IC - interchange, SIC - smart interchange, JCT - junction, SA - service area, PA - parking area, BS - bus stop, CB - snow chains, TN - tunnel, BR - bridge

There are also 2 snow chain changing areas between Toyota-Iiyama Interchange and Kurohime-Nojiriko Parking Area, and 1 area between Sakaki Interchange and Ueda-Sugadaira Interchange (Fujioka-bound only).

References

External links

*ja icon [http://www.e-nexco.co.jp/ East Nippon Expressway Company]