Seishō Bypass

Infobox_road
highway_name = Seishō Bypass (西湘バイパス)
marker_



length = 14.5 km (Main Route)
1.8 km (Ishibashi Branch Route)cite web| url= http://www.driveplaza.com/dp/SearchTop#search_map | title= E-NEXCO Drive Plaza Route Search | accessdate= 2008-06-03 ]
established = 1967 [cite web| url= http://www.ktr.mlit.go.jp/kyoku/magazine/7_aback/4_ayumi/region_04.htm | title= 50 Years of History Online Magazine, Series 4 | author= Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Kanto Bureau | accessdate= 2008-06-03 ]
first_open =
starting_terminus = Seishō-Ninomiya Interchange in Ninomiya, Kanagawa

ending_terminus = Hakoneguchi Interchange in Odawara, Kanagawa
The nihongo|Seishō Bypass|西湘バイパス|Seishō Baipasu (lit. West Shōnan Bypass) is a toll road in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. It is owned and managed by Central Nippon Expressway Company.

Overview

Officially the road is designated as a bypass for National Route 1. It is also classified as a road for nihongo|motor vehicles only|自動車専用道路|Jidōsha Senyō Dōro and access is controlled with interchanges and junctions in a similar manner to national expressways in Japan.

The road closely follows the coastline of Sagami Bay, facilitating access between the Tokyo urban area and the city of Odawara in western Kanagawa Prefecture. At the eastern terminus the Seishō Bypass continues as a toll-free road managed by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport. In the west, the main route terminates near the resort town of Hakone, while a short branch route terminates at an intersection with National Route 135 which leads to the resort town of Atami and the Izu Peninsula.

The first section of the road was opened to traffic in 1967 and the entire route was completed in 1972. [cite web| url= http://www.dokokyo.or.jp/data/nenpyo/1972.htm | title= Construction History of Japan |author= Japan Civil Engineering Contractors' Association | accessdate= 2008-06-03 ] The main route has 4 lanes of traffic and the Ishibashi branch route has 2 lanes.

There are three toll collection points along the road. On the main route at the Tachibana Toll Plaza, a toll of 250 yen is collected from regular passenger cars. At Kōzu Interchange these vehicles are charged 150 yen at the eastbound exit and westbound entrance. At Ishibashi Interchange 200 yen is collected. Electronic Toll Collection (ETC) is accepted for payment, however no discount programs are in effect.

In September 2007 Typhoon Fitow caused extensive damage to the road, reducing some sections to two lanes of traffic and forcing the complete closure of other sections. The entire road was restored to full capacity on April 25, 2008. [cite web| url= http://www.ktr.mlit.go.jp/yokohama/seishou/index.htm | title= Status of Seisho Bypass Restoration |author= Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, Kanto Bureau, Yokohama Office | accessdate= 2008-06-03 ]

Interchange list

* IC - interchange, JCT - junction, PA - parking area, TB - toll gate

Main Route

Ishibashi Branch Route

References

External links

* [http://www.c-nexco.co.jp/english Central Nippon Expressway Company]