Kyushu Expressway - Kyushu Expressway

An expressway that runs north to south through Kyushu, connecting Kitakyushu and Minamikyushu. It is managed by West Nippon Expressway Co., Ltd. There are two routes: (1) The Kagoshima Line (Kyushu Expressway), which starts in Kitakyushu City and connects with the Kanmon Expressway, which connects Honshu and Kyushu, passes southeast of Fukuoka City, connects with the Kyushu Transverse Expressway (Nagasaki-Oita Line) in Tosu City, Saga Prefecture, passes through Kumamoto City, connects with the Kyushu Transverse Expressway Nobeoka Line (not yet opened) in Kashima Town, Kumamoto Prefecture, passes through Yatsushiro City, Kumamoto Prefecture, and ends in Kagoshima City; and (2) the Miyazaki Line (Miyazaki Expressway), which branches off from the Kagoshima Line in Ebino City, Miyazaki Prefecture, and ends in Miyazaki City. The entire route was opened in 1995. The Kagoshima Line is 345 kilometers long, and the Miyazaki Line is 83 kilometers long, with six lanes between Dazaifu City and Kurume City in Fukuoka Prefecture and four lanes elsewhere. These roads have expanded exchanges between Kitakyushu and Minamikyushu, which were previously geographically separated, and have played a major role in expanding markets, promoting various industries, and developing tourism.

[Shimoho Osamu]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

九州を南北に縦貫し、北九州と南九州を結ぶ高速道路。管理は西日本高速道路。(1)起点の北九州市で、本州と九州をつなぐ関門自動車道と接続し、福岡市の南東方を経て、佐賀県鳥栖(とす)市で九州横断自動車道（長崎大分線）と接続、熊本市を経て熊本県嘉島(かしま)町で九州横断自動車道延岡(のべおか)線（未開通）と接続し、熊本県八代(やつしろ)市を経て、終点の鹿児島市に至る鹿児島線（九州自動車道）と、(2)宮崎県えびの市で鹿児島線と分岐し、終点の宮崎市に至る宮崎線（宮崎自動車道）の2路線がある。1995年（平成7）に全線開通した。鹿児島線が345キロメートル、宮崎線が83キロメートルで、福岡県太宰府(だざいふ)市―同久留米(くるめ)市間は6車線、その他は4車線である。この道路は、地形的に隔てられていた北九州と南九州との交流を拡大し、市場の拡大、諸産業の振興、観光開発などに大きな役割を果たしている。

［下保　修］

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例