New taipei: As Taiwan prepares to unveil one of its most ambitious infrastructure projects, the Danjiang Bridge, residents on both sides of the Tamsui River are contemplating the changes it may bring-whether relief from traffic congestion, a potential surge in tourism, or new traffic challenges.
According to Focus Taiwan, the nearly one-kilometer-long bridge, scheduled to open on May 12, will connect Tamsui and Bali districts in New Taipei across the Tamsui River estuary. As the island’s most populous municipality, New Taipei, which surrounds the capital city of Taipei, houses just over 4 million residents. Authorities anticipate that the new bridge will alleviate congestion and bolster tourism. However, locals and business owners hold mixed opinions.
Jack Lin, a 47-year-old local, expressed his concerns to CNA about persistent traffic issues on the city’s western coast, particularly pointing to Provincial Highway 2 (PH2), the main route linking Tamsui to Taipei. He hopes the bridge will provide an alternative path and ease the traffic burden. Tamsui resident Lin Chien-ming estimates that the bridge’s inauguration could reduce congestion on PH2 by at least 10 minutes during peak hours, cutting traffic volumes by around a quarter.
The Danjiang Bridge is expected to offer Tamsui residents an alternative to the Guandu Bridge, which spans the Tamsui River upstream, when traveling to Bali or further to Taoyuan International Airport. Despite the potential for smoother traffic, some business owners are skeptical about the bridge’s economic impact. Transportation Minister Chen Shih-kai has suggested it could attract 24,000 to 25,000 visitors to Tamsui on holidays.
Jimmy Liao, a dessert shop owner on Tamsui Old Street, believes the new bridge may have only “a modest impact” on visitor numbers. He notes that most tourists arrive from Taipei via the MRT or buses, rather than from Bali. Conversely, souvenir shop owner Mary Yen is more optimistic, viewing the Danjiang Bridge as an architectural marvel that could draw visitors akin to Taipei 101.
On the Bali side of the river, some business owners are anxious about increased traffic and its potential impact on local roads. Chang Hsiu-ling, whose family has operated a doughnut shop on Bali Old Street since 1971, fears the bridge could lead to congestion on Provincial Highway 15, which connects PH2 to Taipei. She worries that severe traffic could deter tourists from visiting Bali.
However, others like Johnson Huang, a local who runs a lemon tea shop, are less concerned. He believes Bali’s smaller population, approximately 43,000, can absorb the additional traffic without significant congestion.
As the opening date nears, the Danjiang Bridge represents more than a mere infrastructure project. It symbolizes both hope and uncertainty for communities that have long been shaped by the ebb and flow of the Tamsui River.