The government is to allocate NT$10 billion (US$312.84 million) next year to subsidize local governments in enhancing the safety of 600 accident-prone intersections nationwide, Minister of Transportation and Communications Wang Kwo-tsai (王國材) said.
The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of next year, he added.
The minister first made the pledge at the “Stop Killing Pedestrians” rally organized by the Vision Zero group on Sunday.
Photo: CNA
Addressing participants at the rally, Wang apologized for failing the public’s expectations on creating a safe transportation environment and promised to enhance the safety of 600 accident-prone intersections across the country in the short term and achieving “Zero Pedestrian Deaths” by 2040.
Elaborating on his pledge, Wang yesterday disclosed the funding plan for the project in Kaohsiung, where he was invited by the Executive Yuan’s Southern Taiwan Joint Services Center to speak to government workers participating in a leadership program.
“We have begun to list 600 accident-prone intersections, including 200 in six special municipalities, 200 near public transportation depots and schools, and 200 in other cities and counties,” Wang told reporters on the sidelines of the speech.
The funding would be used to subsidize local governments and the Directorate-General of Highways in addressing the safety in these intersections, he said.
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