Premier Su Tseng-chang on Thursday received a Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) briefing on the integration and optimization of national freeways and expressways. Premier Su said freeways and expressways are the lifelines of transportation and are integral to commuting and tourism. These roadways form an essential and fundamental infrastructure to advance the development of industries and spur regional prosperity. Joining access roads and expressways to form a continuous network is a necessary step toward upgrading roadway standards, providing convenient travel and boosting Taiwan's competitiveness.
The government will focus on three strategies to optimize the overall roadway system: linking Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and the Port of Kaohsiung to freeways, connecting the network of freeways and expressways, and clearing traffic bottlenecks on National Freeway No. 1. Over NT$210 billion (US$7.1 billion) has already been approved for establishing freeway access to the airport in northern Taiwan and the seaport in southern Taiwan. In regards to linking the network of freeways and expressways, the government is currently promoting projects to connect National Freeway No. 1 with Provincial Highway No. 74, National Freeway No. 4 with Provincial Highway No. 74, and National Freeway No. 3 with Provincial Highway No. 66.
To more comprehensively connect roadways in eastern Taiwan, the government has approved a feasibility study on improving safety on the Suhua Highway (along the Dong'ao to Nan'ao section, and the Heping to Chongde section), and another feasibility assessment on linking National Freeway No. 5 to the upgraded Suhua Highway. As for bottlenecks along National Freeway No. 1, Premier Su said an improvement project is underway that, when completed, will help ease persistent congestion.