Shizuoka, JR Tokai sign pact to start maglev construction

Shizuoka - Shizuoka Prefecture and Central Japan Railway, or JR Central, on Saturday signed an agreement needed to begin the construction of a section of the Chuo Shinkansen maglev line in the prefecture.Following the conclusion of the natural environment preservation agreement based on a prefectural ordinance, JR Central plans to hold briefings for local residents and then start construction work. The completion of the Shizuoka section is expected to take more than 10 years.“The real work begins now,” Shizuoka Gov. Yasutomo Suzuki said during a signing ceremony at the prefectural government office. “We’ll work to dispel the anxiety and concerns of prefectural residents through continuous and permanent monitoring.”