NDC approves study on linking Freeway No. 5 and new Suhua Highway

Taipei, June 28 (CNA) The National Development Council (NDC) on Monday gave the green light to a feasibility study on a road improvement plan that would directly link the upgraded Suhua Highway to Freeway No. 5, which links Nangang in Taipei and Su’ao in Yilan County.

The new and improved Suhua Highway, which includes three stretches and links Yilan and Hualien counties, officially opened in January 2020.

The previous upgrade involved the sections between Su’ao and Dongao, Nangao and Heping, and Hezhong and Daqingshui.

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications devised the new highway improvement project to ease anticipated traffic on the upgraded Suhua Highway along Taiwan’s rugged east coast, the NDC said.

If construction on the new 7.2-km section project goes ahead, it is expected be completed by 2032, at an estimated cost of NT$17.805 billion (US$637.77 million), according to the NDC.

Once the work is completed, travel time on the upgraded highway would be reduced by 15-20 minutes, while also helping to ease traffic congestion on roads between Yilan and Hualien and from Hualien to Taitung, according to the NDC.

 

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel