A project to convert a major segment of the Taiwan Railway in Pingtung County into a rapid transit-style line will raise local property value, enhance the quality of life and boost development in the region, Premier Jiang Yi-huah said at a Cabinet meeting today.
When the project is completed, the number of train services running between Pingtung City and Chaozhou Township will increase from the current 56 to 178 per day, significantly reducing travel time for commuters. To improve city landscapes, urban planning concepts have been used to revamp train station yards and beautify the space beneath elevated tracks.
Premier Jiang said the Executive Yuan approved the NT$24.6 billion (US$817.4 million) project to build two elevated and electrified rail tracks on the route between Pingtung and Chaozhou. Phase one of construction will end on June 25 when the first track, along with five new elevated stations boasting modernized facilities, becomes operational. In addition to fast, convenient rail service, road traffic will also see significant improvement with the elimination of 20 street-level railroad crossings and three overpasses.
The premier acknowledged the hard work of crews at the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) and the Railway Reconstruction Bureau (RRB) and thanked the Pingtung County Government for providing administrative assistance.
After completion of the first track, which constitutes the west-side track of the double-track system, construction will begin immediately on the east track, the MOTC said. The RRB is working to finish the entire system by June 2015. Thereafter, the Kaohsiung depot and vehicle inspection division will be relocated to the Chaozhou station so that all rail lines running in Kaohsiung City can be moved underground.