Premier Lin Chuan headed south today to review progress on the Chiayi Railway Elevation Project, emphasizing how important this plan is to both President Tsai Ing-wen and the Cabinet, and affirming its special funding status as a forward-looking infrastructure project.
The premier said he sees elevating the railway as the first step in changing Chiayi, improving transportation as well as the city's overall environment, and hopes that both the software and hardware components will incorporate "smart transportation" concepts, and give due consideration to tourism, industrial development and improving the urban living environment.
Although this project was proposed years ago, Chiayi City Government had been unable to find sufficient funding, the premier said. But thanks to the efforts of Mayor Twu Shiing-jer and priority status conferred by President Tsai, the Executive Yuan was able to re-examine the project plan and readjust the funding allocations. Local government then submitted the overall project plan to the National Development Council, which sent it on to the Cabinet, where it is expected to be approved soon, and designated for special funding. The total budget will be approximately NT$27.5 billion (US$890.0 million), with the Chiayi County government spending about NT$3.89 billion (US$125.9 million) over a nine-year period. The premier said he believes that financial commitment is feasible for Chiayi City, and can also cover other infrastructure projects.
The premier also expects that new legislation governing special budgets for forward-looking infrastructure will be sent to the Legislature for deliberation this month, and hopes it will become law in the next month or two. Before the end of the current session, the Cabinet will also be sending the special budget to the Legislature for review.
Premier Lin explained to the citizens of Chiayi City that the government is dedicated to upgrading local infrastructure. In addition to requesting that engineering units do their best to avoid inconveniencing the public during construction, he also expressed hope that the project will be completed ahead of schedule so that everyone can enjoy the benefits as soon as possible.
Later, while inspecting sewage system work at the intersection of Baofu 1st Road and Baozheng Street, the premier said that the sewage system and sewage treatment plant construction are great challenges for the Chiayi City Government, adding that although the city got a late start in this area, it can draw on the experiences of other counties and cities.
The elevated railway and the sewer system are large-scale structures, the premier said, so he hopes that the project will introduce new technologies and use modern methods that will help improve urban infrastructure and quality of life.
As users are slated to begin connecting to the new sewer system in August 2018, the premier urged Chiayi City Government to stay on schedule and requested that the Ministry of the Interior offer assistance. The sewage treatment plant, which recycles wastewater for reuse, will have a significant impact on the environment and conservation of resources, the premier said, which he hopes will set a good example.
According to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, the Chiayi elevated railway construction plan includes 10.9 kilometers of railway, and includes a railroad grade separation component with two elevated stations and one ground-level station, as well as the relocation of the city's coach yard to Shuishang Township.