Restoration operations of the Hankyu Railway Tracks

The first thing to be done was the removal of the derailed trains. The Hanshin-Awaji earthquake damaged the traffic and transportation system very badly. For the Hankyu Railway it took 5 months to complete the restoration operations. To reduce the inconvenience of the Hankyu Railway users, bus services were carried out instead.

In repairing the railway infrastructure and facilities, main measures such as constructing more safely, reconstructing the foundation parts and adding more steel into pillars for stronger earthquake-resistant performances were adopted. These operations were completed thanks to the great understanding and cooperation of residents along the Hankyu Railway.

At Itami station, the innovation of the damaged station facility was carried out in cooperation with the local government and its citizens at the same time. After hot arguments, we were able to make it a better station with a large-capacity elevator, auto-voice guide system and more handrails in the end. This was the first trial in Japan.

-Student's impressions-

I was surprised that the Hanshin Railway finished the restoration construction that was estimated for a few years mission in just 5 months by cooperating with rival railway company, JR. I learned that it is important to help each other.