The Hokkaido Development Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism opened the Hidaka Expressway (E63) between the Hidaka-Atsuga IC and the Shinkappu IC on February 28.
The line will be extended 9.1 km to the south, reducing the time required between Shin-Hidaka Town and Tomakomai City (between each town hall) by up to 7 minutes. All of the above sections are outside the expected tsunami inundation zone, and are expected to enhance emergency transportation and shorten the time required for detours.
In addition, since there are racehorse farms along the route and many horse-drawn vehicles pass through the area, the company believes that the construction of a car-only road will reduce the number of stoplights and other stops and starts, thereby reducing travel stress for the horses.
© Source travel watch