is one of the

Expressways of Japan The of Japan make up a large network of controlled-access toll expressways. History Following World War II, Japan's economic revival led to a massive increase in personal automobile use. However the existing road system was inadequate ...

from

Yatsushiro 270px, Yatsushiro City Hall 270px, ruins of Yatsushiro Castle is a city located in Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 120,389 in 57,953 households, and a population density of 300 persons per km2. The total are ...

Kagoshima , is the capital Cities of Japan, city of Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 583,966 in 285,992 households, and a population density of 1100 persons per km2. The total area of the city is . Etymology While the ...

linking with the

Kyushu Expressway (Asian Highway Network ) is one of the Expressways of Japan from Kitakyūshū (and the bridge to Honshū) to west of Kagoshima linking with the Higashikyushu Expressway and the Ibusuki Skyline. It runs through the prefectures of Fukuoka, the e ...

. It runs through the southern half of

Kumamoto is the capital Cities of Japan, city of Kumamoto Prefecture on the island of Kyushu, Japan. , the city has an estimated population of 738,907 and a population density of 1,893 people per km2. The total area is 390.32 km2. had a populat ...

prefecture, and the northern half of the

prefecture. The total length is 140 km.

Overview

The first section of the expressway was opened to traffic in 1988. As of March 2007 the expressway incomplete in many areas. The next sections are scheduled to open in 2009 ( Tanoura Interchange to Ashikita Interchange). After this, Most of the incomplete areas will be built according to the New Direct Control System, whereby the burden for construction costs will be shared by the national and local governments and no tolls will be collected. Currently the section between Hinagu Interchange and

Tsunagi Interchange 270px, Panorama of Tsunagi is a town located in Ashikita District, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan. , the town had an estimated population of 4,131 in 1,848 households, and a population density of 120 persons per km2. The total area of the town is ...

Noda Interchange Noda may refer to: Places *Noda, Azerbaijan, a village in Azerbaijan *Noda, Chiba, a city in Chiba Prefecture, Japan *Noda, Iwate, a village in Iwate Prefecture, Japan *Noda, Kagoshima, a former town in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan *NoDa (neighborho ...

and

Akune Interchange 270px, Wakimoto beach is a city located in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. , the city had an estimated population of 18,297 in 9698 households, and a population density of 140 persons per km2. The total area of the city is . Geography Akune is loc ...

, and Satsumasendai-Mizuhiki Interchange and

Ichiki Interchange Ichiki (written: 一木 or 市来) is a Japanese surname In many societies, a surname, family name, or last name is the mostly hereditary portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family. It is typically combined with a given name ...

operates according to this principle. The route parallels the

Kagoshima Main Line The is a major railway line operated by the Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) between Mojiko Station, Mojikō in Kitakyushu, and Kagoshima Station in Kagoshima, Kagoshima, Kagoshima City, at the southern end of Kyushu. Until March 13, 2004, it ...

Kyushu Railway Company The , also referred to as , is one of the seven constituent companies of Japan Railways Group (JR Group). It operates intercity rail services within Kyushu, Japan. It formerly operated the Beetle (JR Kyushu), Beetle hydrofoil service across th ...

and

National Route 3 The following highways are numbered 3, H-3, PRI-3, AH3, E03 and R3. For roads numbered A3, see A3 roads. For roads numbered M3, see M3. For roads numbered N3, see N3. For roads numbered 3A, see 3A. International * Asian Highway 3 * Euro ...

for much of its length.

History

*October 19, 1988, a section from Kagoshima-nishi to Kagoshima Interchange was opened to traffic. *March 26, 1998, a section from Ijuin to Kagoshima-nishi Interchanges was opened to traffic. *April 20, 1998, a section from Yatsushiro Junction to Yatsushiro-minami Interchange was opened to traffic. *October 6, 2001, a section from Yatsushiro-minami to Hinagu Interchange was opened to traffic. *April 6, 2002, a section from Ichiki to Ijuin Interchanges was opened to traffic. *February 27, 2005, a section from Hinagu to Tanoura Interchange was opened to traffic. *March 13, 2005, a section from Kushikino to Ichiki Interchange was opened to traffic. *March 3, 2007, a section from Satsumasendai-Miyako to Kushikino Interchange was opened to traffic. *March 31, 2008, the Miyama Interchange was opened. *April 29, 2009, a section from Tanoura to Ashikita Interchange was opened to traffic. *March 10, 2013, a section from Satsumasendai-Mizuhiki to Satsumasendai-Takae Interchange was opened to traffic. *March 7, 2015, a section from Satsumasendai-Takae to Satsumasendai-Miyako Interchange was opened to traffic. *March 29, 2015, a section from Akune-kita to Akune Interchange was opened to traffic. *December 19, 2015, a section from Noda to Akune-kita Interchange was opened to traffic. *February 27, 2016, a section from Ashikita to Tsunagi Interchange was opened to traffic. *March 11, 2017, a section from Tanaono-kita to Noda Interchange was opened to traffic. *November 12, 2017, a section from Izumi to Tanaono-kita Interchange was opened to traffic. *March 2, 2019, a section from Tsunagi to Minamata Interchange was opened to traffic.

Interchanges

* IC -

interchange Interchange may refer to: Transport * Interchange (road), a collection of ramps, exits, and entrances between two or more highways * Interchange (freight rail), the transfer of freight cars between railroad companies * Interchange station, a rai ...

, JCT -

junction Junction may refer to: Arts and entertainment * ''Junction'' (2012 film), an American film * ''Junction'' (2024 film), an American film * ''Jjunction'', a 2002 Indian film * ''Junction'' (album), a 1976 album by Andrew Cyrille * Junction (E ...

, SA -

service area A rest area is a public facility located next to a large thoroughfare such as a motorway, expressway, or highway, at which drivers and passengers can rest, eat, or refuel without exiting onto secondary roads. Other names include motorway ser ...

, PA -

parking area A parking lot or car park (British English), also known as a car lot, is a cleared area intended for parking vehicles. The term usually refers to an area dedicated only for parking, with a durable or semi-durable surface. In most jurisdic ...

, BS -

bus stop A bus stop is a place where Public transport bus service, buses stop for passengers to get on and off the bus. The construction of bus stops tends to reflect the level of usage, where stops at busy locations may have shelter (building), shelters ...

, TN -

tunnel A tunnel is an underground or undersea passageway. It is dug through surrounding soil, earth or rock, or laid under water, and is usually completely enclosed except for the two portals common at each end, though there may be access and ve ...

, BR -

bridge A bridge is a structure built to Span (engineering), span a physical obstacle (such as a body of water, valley, road, or railway) without blocking the path underneath. It is constructed for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle, whi ...

, TB -

toll gate Toll Gate or Tollgate may refer to: * Toll gate, a barrier across a toll road or toll bridge that is lifted when the toll is paid Entertainment * Tollgate (Hale single), "Tollgate" (Hale single) * ''The Toll-Gate'', a 1954 novel by Georgette Heye ...

* Bus stops labeled "○" are currently in use; those marked "◆" are closed.

Lanes

*2-lane

Overview

History

Interchanges

Lanes

See also