北海道新幹線の札幌延伸開業､2030年度末から｢未定｣へ 小樽―長万部間の並行在来線廃止も｢未定｣？
Estimated opening year of the extension of Hokkaido Shinkansen to Sapporo is pushed back from 2030 to "Unknown",
which means that abolishment of the existing conventional line between Otaru and Oshamanbe is also "Unknown"
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/expert/articles/b2d4c596ff79a76595508471024b391eb355df54
(Translation begins)
According to the local news paper, JRTT and the ministry of land and transportation are ready to announce giving up of the opening of the section between Sapporo and Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto, which is under construction next week. Opening year will not be announced. Then, extension of Hokkaido Shinkansen is "pending".
Last Autumn, it was revealed that construction is halted due to huge hard rocks found in the Hirafu section in Youtei Tunnel between Kucchan and Niseko in Shiribeshi Subprefecture. Construction was restarted though, the completion year is 4 years behind the schedule. Furthermore, they have difficulty to tackle with soft ground in Oshima Tunnel between Yakumo and Hokuto in Oshima Subprefecture.
Effects on the construction are not only above things but also below things.
Rapidus Plant under construction in Chitose City is expected to lure more human resources to build the Shinkansen.
The other factor is that more strict upper limit of overtime work is enforced from 2024. Lack of human resources needed for building viaducts and electric hardware stations is expected.
Future use of the paralleling conventional railways have not yet been decided. Association led by Hokkaido Prefectural Authority agreed with abolishment of the section between Otaru and Oshamanbe, and abolishment of passenger service between Oshamanbe and Hakodate to make it dedicated to freight train.
But, the section between Otaru and Oshamanbe includes the congested section between Yoichi and Otaru with more than 2000 passengers per day. Due to serious shortage of bus drivers, local bus company showed concern to undertake bus service for abolished section.
During the vacation season in winter, some trains were operated with 3 cars, instead of the usual 2 cars, bacause of the crowd of foreign tourists.
This situation will make it more difficult to abolish the section.
On the other hand, the section between Oshamanbe and Hakodate is the main route of the freight trains connecting Honshu(Main Island of Japan) and Hokkaido. Abolishment of the section means extermination of the freight trains, which can cause skyrocketing price of vegetables around the greater Tokyo. Despite the fact, No one has decided who operates the section after extension of Hokkaido Shinkansen to Sapporo. Furthermore, the abolishment of the passenger trains between Oshamanbe and Hakodate will make it more difficult to prepare bus drivers for alternative buses, due to shortage of the bus drivers. The issue is similar to the case of the section between Otaru and Oshamanbe.
There are tons of the issues that should be solved like the plan of through service of Hokkaido Shinkansen to Hakodate Station. But, this announcement gives us more time to think about the issue including abolishment of the existing conventional lines.
(Translation ends)
The next opening of Shinkansen(High speed rail) will be more than 10 years later, due to this announcement.
