Tokyo is taking steps to transform a congested motorway above the glamorous Ginza shopping district into a leafy pedestrian haven – inspired by New York’s celebrated High Line park – as part of its efforts to promote a greener, more walkable city.
The final vehicle will travel on the Tokyo Expressway on Saturday. Work on the KK Route will begin immediately afterward, ahead of events scheduled for April 18 to celebrate the opening of the Tokyo Sky Corridor.
On that day, participants are invited to walk along the 2km (1.2 miles) stretch of elevated roadway and engage in public discussions about the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s plans to promote pedestrian-friendly lifestyles throughout the city.
The following day, the KK Line will host the Ginza Sky Run Challenge, a preliminary event for the marathon course for the Deaflympics, scheduled for November in Tokyo.
City officials estimate that developing the KK Route will take another five years. It will ultimately feature gardens, green spaces, art installations, viewpoints over the city, and areas where visitors can relax and enjoy peaceful moments.
The objective is to convert a 1966 highway built as part of the city’s modernisation into a lively tourist destination.
