A group of business executives is floating the idea of burying all of Tokyo's elevated highways 60 meters underground. The megaproject also includes a sweeping greening of the space they will leave behind and large-scale redevelopment at key highway ramps.
The project is the brainchild of Keiei Doyukai, which was established in 1962 as a forum for exchanges among young entrepreneurs and owners of midsize businesses, including some companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
Yoshitaka Ohashi, an executive of the group, said, "The proposed deep underground expressways in Tokyo's city center would not only help to reduce chronic traffic congestion but serve to improve the urban environment."