Newer Shinkansen lines on higher viaducts?

[Sacto1985]

One thing I noticed about the original Tokaidō Shinkansen line is that much of the line in flat areas are built relatively close to ground, especially between Nagoya and Shin-Osaka Stations. But yet, on many of the newer lines--Jōetsu, Tōhoku, Kyushu south of Hakata, and now Hokiruku, the lines in flat areas are often built on viaducts pretty high off the ground. 

 

I wonder why that was done, unless it was done for noise reduction reasons and to reduce gradients in some areas.

[bikkuri bahn]

I think the main reason is that earth-filled embankments have a tendency to settle, requiring more maintenance. Also, as Japan experiences precipitation at levels much greater than say Europe, embankments can get waterlogged, causing slides.

[katoftw]

Embankments take up more ground space. The can become a political issue with land ownership rights. Not an issue in the 1960s.

Edited November 21, 2016 by katoftw

[railsquid]

Enbankments take up more ground space. The can became a political issue with land ownership rights. Not an iuuse in the 1960s.

You think so?

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Narita_International_Airport#Construction