Japan National Route 116 Explained

Country:JPN
Type:National
Route:116
Map Custom:yes
Map Notes:Japan National Route 116 highlighted in red
Length Km:78.9
Length Ref:[1]
Established:1953
Direction A:South
Terminus A: in Kashiwazaki, Niigata
Junction:
    Direction B:North
    Terminus B: in Chūō-ku, Niigata
    Previous Type:Route
    Previous Route:115
    Next Type:Route
    Next Route:117

    is a national highway of Japan that traverses the prefecture of Niigata in a southwest–northeast routing. It connects the city of Kashiwazaki in south-central Niigata Prefecture to the prefecture's capital city, Niigata, to the north along the Sea of Japan coastline. It has a total length of 78.9km (49miles).

    Route description

    National Route 116 mainly functions as an alternative route to National Route 8 and the Hokuriku Expressway between the cities of Kashiwazaki and Niigata. It runs closer to the coastline of the Sea of Japan, while the aforementioned highways take a more inland route. It also takes a more rural route between Kashiwazaki and Niigata. While National Route 8 travels through the center of the cities Nagaoka, Mitsuke, and Sanjō, National Route 116 passes only through the center of the city of Tsubame.[2] A 7.9km (04.9miles) section of the highway in Niigata makes up the southernmost section of the Niigata Bypass, a limited-access road that travels along the eastern edge of the city's center.[3] [4]

    History

    National Route 116 was established by the Cabinet of Japan on 18 May 1954 as Secondary National Route 116 between the cities of Kashiwazaki and Niigata. The highway was reclassified as General National Route 116 on 1 April 1965.[5] The highway was heavily damaged in Kashiwazaki during the 2007 Chūetsu offshore earthquake.[6] Several sections of the roadway collapsed or were displaced during the earthquake;[7] however, local authorities were able to repair the damage by the end of the day after the earthquake.[6] On 1 April 2008, the highway's route through Niigata was shifted onto the limited-access Niigata Bypass.[3]

    Major junctions

    The route lies entirely within Niigata Prefecture.

    Notes and References

    1. Web site: 一般国道の路線別、都道府県別道路現況. Road statistics by General National Highway route and prefecture. ja. Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. 19 February 2020.
    2. Web site: 国道116号吉田バイパス 説明資料. National Route 116 Yoshida Bypass Explanatory Material. Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. ja. 23 March 2018. 29 January 2021.
    3. Web site: 4月1日から国道116号のルートが変わります. From 1 April, Route 116 will be changed. ja. 29 February 2008. 29 January 2021.
    4. Web site: 新潟西バイパス速度規制の見直しについて. About the review of the Niigata Bypass speed limit. Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. 19 March 2007. 29 January 2021.
    5. 一般国道の路線を指定する政令. Cabinet Order Designating General National Routes. Wikisource. 1965. Cabinet of Japan. ja. 28 January 2021.
    6. Web site: 平成19年新潟県中越沖地震. 2007 Niigata Chuetsu-oki Earthquake. Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. ja. 23 July 2007. 28 January 2021.
    7. Web site: 平成19(2007)年 新潟県中越沖地震における 災害救助に係る活動記録. Activity record related to disaster relief following the 2007 Niigata Chuetsu-offshore earthquake. ja. Japanese Red Cross. May 2008. 29 January 2021.