NISEKO NEWS
A Niseko Interchange running between Nisekoi and Kutchan is one step closer to being realised.
On 12 March the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) said it will be announcing an implementation plan for an 11.7km Kutchan-Niseko section of the Trans-Hokkaido Expressway, which will connect with the already-under-construction Kutchan-Yoichi Interchange.
The implementation plan is to be released with the final MLIT highway budget for fiscal year 2024 and then during the fiscal year, funds are to be earmarked for surveying and design work.
A 2021 MLIT rendering showing a conceptual Rankoshi-Kutchan Interchange. In fiscal year 2024, the Kutchan-Niseko section will take its first concrete steps toward development.
Another interchange section of 12.5km between Niseko and Rankoshi, discussed for several years as part of a larger plan to have the Trans-Hokkaido Expressway run from Rankoshi to Kutchan, is not developing an implementation plan in fiscal year 2024, but advocacy for it is expected to continue.
The new interchange is expected to improve access to Niseko’s resort areas for visitors, including shortening the travel time to and from New Chitose Airport and Sapporo.
The infrastructure is also anticipated to improve Niseko Town’s emergency services and disaster prevention initiatives.
Source:
The Hokkaido Shimbun – 13 March 2024
Images:
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism
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