Xinsheng expressway to re-open on Saturday

The expressway will re-open to traffic at noon tomorrow, announced Taipei City Mayor Hau Lung-bin after inspecting the roadwork yesterday.

The entire project included seismic reinforcements, the construction of a new bridge connecting Zhongshan N. Road. on either side of the Keelung River and an extension at the north end of the expressway that would save drivers heading Shilin about 15 minutes in rush-hour traffic.

The new design drastically changes the traffic flow of the area, as drivers going toward Shilin and Tianmu can connect directly to Section 4 of Zhongshan N. Road. without having to compete with traffic going toward Dazhi and Neihu around Yuanshan Circle.

The old Zhongshan Bridge that connected Section 3 of Zhongshan N. Road. with Section 4 crossing the Keelung River was completely torn down and rebuilt from scratch to withstand earthquakes, floods and typhoon-force winds.

At a cost of NT$2.1 billion, the expressway's foundations were also successfully bolstered while its crumbling bridge sections and guardrails repaired.

The rest of the project including minor improvements to the columns supporting the roadway and the planting of greenery under the expressway are scheduled to be completed by next March.

The re-opening of the expressway is expected to significantly reduce congestion in the city at a time when other projects are going on around the city.

The elevated expressway is a vital intra-city artery accommodating an estimated 15,000 northbound vehicles and 13,000 southbound cars daily. It was closed in stages beginning 14 months ago. The whole expressway extends from Section 4 of Zhongshan N. Road. to the intersection of Jinshan S. Road. and Jinan Road.

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