Premier Jiang Yi-huah today pledged an NT$4 billion (US$132 million) grant from the central government for road construction projects in Taoyuan County, assigning priority to developing roads connecting to the Taoyuan Aerotropolis.
The premier made the promise while inspecting a naval base in Taoyuan County. During a briefing on the progress of construction on the aerotropolis, Taoyuan County Magistrate Wu Chih-yang highlighted pressing infrastructure needs requiring the central government's support. Responding that the aerotropolis is one of the nation's flagship programs crucial to Taiwan's future, and an excellent model of collaboration between the central and local governments, Jiang said that the administration will throw its full support behind the project.
After the last progress report on the Taoyuan Aerotropolis in October 2013, the premier demanded that central agencies and the county government ensure the project tasks remain on schedule. The purpose of his inspection today is to monitor progress and to demonstrate the government's determination in promoting the project, Jiang said.
In 2013, central and county officials worked together to conduct urban planning, acquire needed land, construct facilities, plan industrial development and recruit businesses. Concerning the expropriation of land, the Executive Yuan has directed the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) and the county government to communicate thoroughly with local residents and landowners concerning relocation and compensation. Currently, the principles are to build new homes for residents before relocating them, and to move entire communities together. Under the current Taoyuan Aerotropolis special zone plan, the naval base inspected today will be converted into a new housing area for the residents, with a portion of that land to be allocated to the landowners as compensation.
As for roads connecting to the aerotropolis, Magistrate Wu requested funding for work on the northern stretch of Provincial Highway No. 31 (from Provincial Highway No. 4 to Taoyuan Rural Highway No. 3), the road connecting the Taoyuan Bus Station with the airport (Provincial Highway No. 15 to County Highway No. 113), and extension and expansion of Taoyuan Rural Highway No. 15 (Provincial Highway No. 31 to County Highway No. 110). Jiang promised that the central government will contribute at least NT$4 billion and instructed county officials to apply for the subsidies through a living perimeter road improvement project. He directed the MOTC and the Construction and Planning Agency to assign priority to these arteries in order to support growing traffic demands surrounding the aerotropolis.
Taoyuan County also asked for central government assistance on raising the height limit on landmark buildings in the aerotropolis. Premier Jiang instructed the Civil Aeronautics Administration to study this possibility while taking into consideration safety, efficiency and development factors.
Given that development has already begun on the aerotropolis and that more challenges are expected from the land acquisition, building construction, industrial planning and business recruitment portions of the project, Premier Jiang urged various agencies and the Taoyuan County Government to continue working closely together, combining the strength of public and private sectors to complete this highly strategic national development project on schedule.