Naniwasuji Line

Naniwasuji Line
Space at JR Namba Station reserved for the Naniwasuji Line
Overview
Native nameなにわ筋線
StatusApproved
OwnerKansai Rapid Railway (Third-sector operator)
LocaleOsaka
Termini
Service
Operator(s)JR West
Nankai Electric Railway
History
Planned openingSpring 2031 (tentative)
Technical
Line length7.2 km (4.5 mi)
Track gauge1,067 mm (3 ft 6 in)
Electrification1,500 V DC, overhead lines
Route map

The Naniwasuji Line (なにわ筋線, Naniwasuji-sen) is an underground heavy rail line scheduled to open in spring 2031, which will run north-south through central Osaka, primarily under the avenue Naniwasuji [ja].[1] It has long been pursued by West Japan Railway Company (JR West) and Nankai Railway in order to connect the JR Yamatoji Line (Kansai Main Line) and Nankai Main Line with Shin-Osaka Station, greatly enhancing both companies' connections to Kansai International Airport and Wakayama Prefecture.[2] As of 18 March 2023, the tracks through the northern terminus at Osaka Station and adjoining underground platforms were opened for the Haruka and Kuroshio limited express services as well as ordinary trains on the Osaka Higashi Line.[3]

  1. ^ "なにわ筋線「北梅田~JR難波・南海新今宮」の鉄道事業許可" [Railway business license for Naniwasuji Line "Kita Umeda-JR Namba / Nankai Shin-Imamiya"] (PDF). Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MLIT) (in Japanese). 9 July 2019. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 July 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  2. ^ "地下鉄なにわ筋線整備へ 橋下知事と金子国交相会談" [Governors Hashimoto and Kaneko Discuss Naniwasuji Line Construction]. Sankei Shimbun (in Japanese). 21 February 2009. Archived from the original on 24 February 2009. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
  3. ^ "「はるか」地下へ切り替え 東海道線、ホーム開業控え工事" [Work Continues at Osaka Umekita as the Haruka Limited Express Is Rerouted Underground]. Yomiuri Shimbun (in Japanese). 14 February 2023. Archived from the original on 14 February 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2023.