Key Facts
• October 28, 2025: Meeting held in Shinjo City to discuss new roadside station.
• 2026 September: Basic concept to be finalized and published.
• 2027 April: Basic plan development to commence.
• Organized in March 2022 by eight municipalities and local business groups in Mogami region.
• 2023: Discussions paused due to differing opinions on access routes.
• 2024: Study sessions held to learn from other prefectures’ examples.
• October 28, 2025: Discussions resumed after 2.5 years of suspension.
• Proposed location: Southwest area of Shinjo Interchange.
• Planned functions: Rest area, information hub, regional exchange, and tourism promotion.
• Shinjo Mayor Asanori Yamashina emphasized regional and public benefits of the project.
Summary
A new roadside station is planned near the Shinjo Interchange of the Tohoku Chuo Expressway, with discussions resuming on October 28, 2025, after a 2.5-year hiatus. The project, initiated in 2022 by eight municipalities and local business groups in the Mogami region, faced delays due to disagreements over access routes. Study sessions in 2024 helped align perspectives, leading to the recent progress. The basic concept will be finalized by September 2026, with the basic plan development starting in April 2027. The proposed location is the southwest area of the Shinjo Interchange, and the station will serve as a rest area, information hub, and a center for regional exchange and tourism promotion. Shinjo Mayor Asanori Yamashina highlighted the project’s importance for regional development and public utility.
