The newly opened Wuyang Overpass will alleviate bottlenecks between Taishan and Yangmei and improve traffic along Taipei City, New Taipei City, Taoyuan and Hsinchu, Premier Jiang Yi-huah said today at the inauguration ceremony for the overpass.
Heavy traffic in both directions between Taishan and Yangmei often created long delays for commuters, which had a considerable impact on economic productivity. Completion of the overpass will smooth out inter-city travel in northern Taiwan, the premier indicated.
Anticipation for the overpass has been building for months, Jiang said.
The Ministry of Transportation and Communication (MOTC) had originally planned to complete the massive construction project in six years but, on President Ma Ying-jeou's request, was able to deliver two years ahead of schedule. The premier and inauguration participants applauded the construction crew for working around the clock to expedite the project, even over this year's nine-day Lunar New Year holiday in February.
Regarding the Taoyuan Aerotropolis project, Premier Jiang asked the MOTC to speed up construction of related roadways so as to improve the traffic network for Greater Taipei and solidify the area's economic foundations. He urged the MOTC carry out the aerotropolis project with the same dedication as with the Wuyang Overpass, and complete the construction ahead of schedule to achieve the best economic benefits possible.
Premier Jiang thanked local governments and their representatives for supporting the MOTC's major projects nationwide and encouraged them to continue working together for the public's well-being.
Also present at the inauguration was President Ma, who took part in the ribbon-cutting ceremony along with Premier Jiang, Taoyuan County Magistrate John Chih-yang Wu, New Taipei City Deputy Mayor Hsu Chih-chien, Minister of Transportation and Communications Yeh Kuang-shih and Executive Yuan Spokesperson Cheng Li-wun. The event marked the official opening of the overpass from Wugu to Chungli.