This photo taken on Oct. 25, 2021, shows JR Shibuya Station's platform for the Yamanote loop line that underwent construction work to widen it by about 5 meters. (Kyodo)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- The operation of Tokyo's Yamanote loop line returned to normal on Monday following the completion of track switching construction work that required a section of the line to be suspended over the weekend.

       Services on East Japan Railway Co.'s inner loop line between Ikebukuro and Osaki stations, which includes the capital's busiest stations such as Shinjuku and Shibuya, were halted from the first train on Saturday to the last train on Sunday.

       It was the longest service suspension on the line caused by track switching work since creation of the company in 1987 through the privatization of national railway operator.

       The weekend work widened Shibuya Station's platform for the inner loop line by about 5 meters. While creating more room for passengers, the company also narrowed the gap between the platform and trains.

       JR East also plans track switching work for the outer loop at the station to merge the inner and outer platforms and improve passenger convenience.

       All improvement work for the Yamanote Line's Shibuya Station, including that to make the facility more accessible for the elderly and people with disabilities, will be completed by March 2028.

       Font Size S M L Print Timeline 0