Traffic along the western terminus of Zhongxiao W Road is scheduled to resume tomorrow morning thanks to the unexpectedly quick demolition of the overpass to Zhongxiao Bridge (忠孝橋), Taipei City Government officials said yesterday.
The 750m overpass was located near Taipei’s North Gate (北門) and stretched from Zhongxiao W Road near Taipei Railway Station to Zhongxiao Bridge, connecting downtown Taipei to New Taipei City’s Sanchong District (三重).
Taipei Deputy Mayor Charles Lin (林欽榮) was joined by several city department commissioners for a ceremony to mark the removal of the protective barrier which had been built around the North Gate to protect it during the demolition process, which began on Sunday to take advantage of the city’s lower commuter traffic during the Lunar New Year holiday.
Photo: Chien Jung-fong, Taipei Times
Lin said the demolition project was 90 percent completed and was well ahead of schedule, adding that traffic would fully resume by 8am tomorrow.
Following the demolition of the overpass, cars that used to cross the bridge are to pass through three traffic lights on Zhongxiao W Road, adding three to five minutes to their commute, Lin said, adding that construction work to expand sidewalks and build a plaza around the North Gate is to continue until the end of November.
The construction project would help the area to once again serve as a gateway to the city, particularly after the nearby terminus station of the Taoyuan Airport MRT line opens later this year, he said.
The gate, designated as a national historic building, was built in 1882 and is the only one of the city’s five gates that has retained its original look.
Taipei Department of Transportation Commissioner Chung Hui-yu (鍾慧諭) said that people returning to work next week would likely take a few days to get used to the overpass’ demolition, urging commuters to switch to public transportation.
Although there would now be one less lane along Zhongxiao W Road’s western terminus, the road itself would not be closed and monitoring equipment on Zhongxiao, Taipei and Zhongxing (中興橋) bridges would be used to help police officers direct traffic, she said, adding that the frequency of city buses to MRT stations would be increased to help more residents ride the MRT lines connecting Taipei and New Taipei City.
“Traffic can be controlled as long as 20 percent of people change their commute habits,” she said.
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