A tunnel digging project will begin on the night of May 8 to underground the section between Nakai and Nogata stations. The goal is to eliminate seven level crossings in the section and alleviate traffic congestion, with the start of operations targeted for the fiscal year 2032.
According to the company, the approximately 2.4-kilometer section will be moved underground, and the platforms at Numabukuro Station and Araiyakushi-mae Station will also be underground. The total project cost is 163.5 billion yen. This has more than doubled from the 72.6 billion yen at the time of project approval in fiscal 2013, due to various factors. The costs will be borne by the national government, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Nakano Ward, and Seibu Railway. After the railway undergrounding is completed in fiscal 2032, all construction work, including removing the above-ground tracks that will become unnecessary, is expected to be finished by the end of fiscal 2033.
The seven level crossings have become congested due to dense train schedules, causing traffic jams in the surrounding areas. A Seibu Railway representative said, “We want to work with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government and the ward to create a sense of community unity and connect it to the future.”
Nakai Station
Nakai Station is a railway station in Nakai Town, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, operated by the Odakyu Electric Railway on its Odawara Line. It opened in 1927 and serves as a key stop for commuters and visitors traveling to the Tanzawa Mountains and nearby hiking areas. The station’s history reflects the growth of the region as a suburban hub and gateway to natural attractions.
Nogata Station
Nogata Station is a railway station located in Nakano, Tokyo, serving the Seibu Shinjuku Line. It opened in 1927 as part of the expansion of the Seibu Railway network, originally connecting the area to central Tokyo. Today, it functions as a key local transit hub, surrounded by a lively shopping district and residential neighborhoods.
Numabukuro Station
Numabukuro Station is a railway station located in Nakano, Tokyo, Japan, serving the Seibu Shinjuku Line. It opened in 1927 as part of the Seibu Railway’s expansion, initially as a stop for the local community. The station’s name derives from the area’s historical association with horse stables, reflecting its rural past before the urbanization of Tokyo.
Araiyakushi-mae Station
Araiyakushi-mae Station is a railway stop on the Seibu Shinjuku Line in Tokyo, Japan. It is named after the nearby Arai Yakushi Temple, a historic Buddhist temple dedicated to Yakushi Nyorai (the Buddha of healing), which was established in the early 17th century. The station serves as a convenient access point for visitors seeking the temple’s spiritual and cultural significance.
