Efforts in NEXCO West Japan towards long-term bridge maintenance

摘要

The total length of expressways in Japan has reached to approximately 9,200 km at the present moment. About 40 of the total length has been in service for more than 30 years. The structures on the expressways are exposed under severe environments such as increase in vehicle weight and the number of large vehicles and the scatter of anti-freezing agent (NaCl). As a result, the structures have been seriously deteriorated. This report explains the various efforts in West Nippon Expressway Company Limited towards the long-term bridges maintenance to permanently maintain expressways in a good condition.