Premier Sean Chen today gave instructions to the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) to accelerate work on the Taoyuan Aerotropolis project, designating Vice Premier Jiang Yi-huah as head of a cross-ministry task force to fast-track its implementation.
The Taoyuan Aerotropolis project is a part of the government's Golden Decade National Vision plans, one of which aims to build Taiwan into a sea and air transport hub. The public and private sectors are expected to invest NT$463 billion (US$15.4 billion) toward building the aerotropolis, generating NT$2.3 trillion (US$76.7 billion) in economic benefits, NT$84 billion (US$2.8 billion) in tax revenue and 260,000 job opportunities. Not only will the project raise Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport's capacity and boost the local economy; it will also spur a national transformation for the 21st century and drive Taiwan's economic development.
The MOTC pointed out that the project was created to keep Taiwan competitive amid growing volumes of passenger and cargo flowing through the Asia-Pacific. The government will expand the airport to stimulate nearby industries, and those industries will hopefully direct business opportunities back to the airport.
Since the project was proposed by the MOTC four years ago, several major preparatory tasks have been completed:
1. A naval air base in Taoyuan was relocated to Pingtung to make more room for airport expansion.
2. The International Aero Park Development Act was passed, and the Taoyuan International Airport Corp. was established to manage airport operations.
3. A conceptual plan for the Taoyuan Aero Park Project was completed.
4. Renovations on Terminal 1 will be completed by late 2012 to increase passenger and cargo capacity.
5. National Highway 2 and other roads leading to the airport were widened to alleviate traffic.
6. A Taoyuan MRT Airport Line is being built to link the airport to other cites.
7. A tender for contractors was launched to develop the High Speed Rail station environs.
8. The Taoyuan Aerotropolis area project was completed by the Taoyuan County Government.
To build Taiwan into a major transportation hub in the Asia-Pacific, the MOTC is aiming to raise Taoyuan Airport's annual capacity to 60 million passengers and 4.5 million tons of cargo by 2030. Accordingly, the airport will be extended northward and eastward with additional runways and taxiways, tarmacs, ramps and maintenance facilities. At the center of the project is a third runway for independent plane takeoff and landing as well as a third terminal to accommodate higher levels of traffic. Business and passenger service needs will be addressed with the construction of an industrial zone, commercial zone, residential area and public-use facilities. All together, these facilities will be part of a bustling metropolis offering manufacturing and R&D functions, logistics, commerce, exhibition, tourism and leisure activities.
The MOTC has also reached an agreement with the Taoyuan County government on the appropriation of 3,200 hectares of land. This will include 1,400 hectares to be developed by the Civil Aeronautics Administration (745 hectares specifically for the airport), and 1,700 hectares surrounding the Taoyuan MRT Airport Line to be developed by the CAA and Taoyuan County Government.
After receiving the go-ahead from Premier Chen today, the MOTC will begin working with Taoyuan County to establish special zones and conduct environmental impact assessments. Meetings will be held to explain to the public regarding the stages of construction, as well as land appropriation plans and timeframes. Local residents will be able to participate from the start and have their views incorporated into the planning process. Appropriation procedures are to begin after approval of the special zone plans.
The MOTC's first order of business will be the construction of the third terminal, which will kick off in late September with the announcement of a tender process for a general consultant. Plans for the third runway and a free-trade zone will also be implemented.
The third terminal, at an estimated cost of NT$50 billion (US$1.7 billion), will offer 420,000 square meters of floor space to process 43 million passengers a year. Merging aviation with high-tech elements into its architecture, the terminal is expected to encompass quality travel and business facilities such as hotels, convention centers, and Taiwanese specialty retail outlets. This "mega terminal" will combine the new with the old but retain flexibility for future expansions. In addition to serving airport passengers, it can also be used by local residents as an activity venue. The general consultant will be selected by the end of the 2012; groundbreaking is scheduled to take place in 2014 and the terminal is slated to open for business in 2018.