The Honshu-Shikoku expressway system links Honshu and Shikoku via three routes. But its tolls are higher than other expressways because the expressway system includes many bridge crossings over straits, where construction costs were high. Tolls for its land sections are 1.1 times higher and those for its strait sections 10.3 to 16.4 times higher than other expressways.
The central government has proposed that it and 10 local governments concerned extend their joint provision of annual ¥80 billion for two years from April 2012 so that the tolls can be lowered to the same level in the land sections as other expressways and 4.4 times higher in the strait sections. Currently, the central government is shouldering two-thirds and the 10 prefectural and city governments one-third of the ¥80 billion.
Under the central government's proposal, the tolls for ordinary passenger cars and minicars on holidays will go down by 40 to 50 percent from the current levels if the drivers use the electronic toll collection system.
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