On July 29, NEXCO West Japan held a regular press conference to explain the damage sustained by its expressways as a result of the Reiwa 8 Kumamoto Earthquake.
In the report titled “Road Closures and Disaster Conditions Resulting from the Reiwa 8 Kumamoto Earthquake (4th Report),” released at 11:00 a.m. on the 29th, the disaster conditions affecting roads are presented in a PDF with photographs. The report indicates that damage to bridge joints and girder misalignment have occurred at the “Kawada Bridge,” “Katano River Bridge,” and “Myoken First Bridge.”
Damage to Bridge Joints:
Kawada Bridge (Uki-Hikawa Smart IC to Yatsushiro IC)
Katano River Bridge (Yatsushiro JCT–Hitoyoshi IC)
Digit Misalignment:
Myoken Daiichi Bridge (Yatsushiro JCT–Yatsushiro Minami IC)
Road Surface Irregularities and Gaps:
Matsuhashi IC to Uki-Hikawa Smart IC
Yatsushiro Interchange (Ramp Area)
etc.
Regarding the Kawada Bridge, the analysis suggested that the “comb-shaped” section visible in the opening photo is a joint; it is believed that the bridge girder shifted laterally due to the seismic shaking, causing the deck slab above it to buckle upward, which likely damaged the joint and the surrounding pavement.
The situation is similar at Katano River Bridge; it is believed that the separation of the previously continuous road surface caused a vertical step and a horizontal gap (the area enlarged by the red line in the photo at the beginning).
At Myoken No. 1 Bridge, the bridge deck has shifted, creating a step. The difference is estimated to be approximately 1 meter. A representative from NEXCO West Japan explained, “While we ensure the minimum strength required to prevent the bridge from collapsing or the piers from failing in the event of a major earthquake, no further reinforcement had been carried out on these three bridges.”
Regarding the claim circulating on social media that “the bridge was intentionally designed to shift slightly to prevent it from collapsing,” the company denied this, stating, “We did not intentionally design it to shift to this extent.” While acknowledging that “it did not collapse completely because it possesses a certain degree of seismic resistance,” the company added, “We did not anticipate a shift of this magnitude; it is barely holding up.”
In addition, it has been reported that uneven road surfaces and gaps have been identified at numerous locations, including the section between Matsuhashi IC and Uki-Hikawa Smart IC, as well as the ramp section of Yatsushiro IC.
No injuries have been confirmed on the highway at this time, but four people (one patron and three store employees) were injured at the rest area.
Please continue to check iHighway (Kyushu and Okinawa areas) for real-time updates.
© Source travel watch