Delivered ventilation equipment to the Yokohama Northwest Line tunnel on the Metropolitan Expressway’s Yokohama Loop Line
2020.03.25
EBARA Corporation


EBARA Corporation (hereinafter referred to as EBARA) has delivered ventilation equipment to the ventilation plant and tunnel of the Yokohama Northwest Line (hereinafter referred to as the "Northwest Line") under contract from the Metropolitan Expressway Corporation.
1. Background and Objectives
The Northwest Route of the Yokohama Circular Route, which forms part of the road network of Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, is a 7.1-km long road that connects the Yokohane Route on the coast and the Tomei Expressway inland. By improving access to the Tokyo metropolitan area, this route improves logistics efficiency and helps to curb traffic congestion on local roads. Ventilation equipment has been installed in the tunnel section to improve the environment inside the tunnel, be considerate of the surrounding environment, and ensure safety in emergencies.
2. Overview
In the tunnel, air volume, wind speed, the concentration distribution of substances in the air, and pressure balance are constantly changing. EBARA has built a sophisticated ventilation control system that conducts repeated calculations based on these factors, achieving efficient operation of the individual ventilation systems to match the environment in the tunnel. Because the Northwest Route is located in an urban area, in consideration of the surrounding environment, EBARA also supplied silencers to reduce the operating noise of the exhaust fans.
1 | Client | Metropolitan Expressway Co., Ltd. |
2 | Project name | (Negative) Construction of tunnel ventilation equipment for the Yokohama Circular Northwest Line |
3 | Construction Period | February 21, 2017 - March 10, 2020 |
4 | Ventilation method | Centralized exhaust longitudinal ventilation system |
Facility Name | Facility Name | Number of units | Specification | |
1 | East Ventilation Station | Exhaust and ventilation equipment | 2 units | Caliber: Φ2800mm Air volume: 151m3/s Wind pressure: 2100Pa Motor output: 490kW |
Silencer Equipment | Complete set | ― | ||
Loading and unloading equipment Switchboards Automatic ventilation control device Other incidental facilities | Complete set | ― | ||
2 | Kitahasaku Ventilation Station | Exhaust and ventilation equipment | 2 units | Caliber: Φ2800mm Air volume: 145m3/s Wind pressure: 2100Pa Motor output: 470kW |
Silencer Equipment | Complete set | ― | ||
Loading and unloading equipment Switchboards Other incidental facilities | Complete set | ― | ||
3 | Inside the tunnel | Jet Fan Equipment | 32 units | Caliber: Φ1250mm |
Measuring Equipment | Complete set | ― |
3. Future developments
The size of the domestic tunnel ventilation market is said to be about 3 billion yen per year, and the demand for replacement and maintenance of aging equipment is growing. EBARA, which has a history of more than 90 years in blower technology and a long track record of delivering blowers in Japan, will continue to contribute to the development of a safe and secure social infrastructure through the provision of a variety of products and services with the aim of achieving greater heights.
The EBARA Group will continue to contribute to the resolution of social issues, including the SDGs, through its business activities and simultaneously improve social and environmental value as well as economic value.