Due to constant rain, 50 meters of the Suhua Highway's roadbed was washed away on December 14. To minimize the impact on traffic in eastern Taiwan, Premier Sean Chen instructed the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) in the Cabinet meeting today to supervise the Directorate General of Highways on restoration. After reopening some sections of the highway, the MOTC should keep the public aware of road security, the premier added.
Premier Chen said that he contacted Minister of Transportation and Communications Mao Chi-kuo right after the incident took place, and the MOTC established an emergency task force to inform the county governments of Yilan and Hualien, the police, fire brigades, and the Taroko National Park Headquarters about emergency management. In addition, to facilitate passenger transport, the Taiwan Railway Administration (TRA) launched response measures such as adding additional trains and train cars to meet increased demand.
The premier suggested the restoration team check whether the drainage design is connected with the roadbed's wash-away problems. Two years ago, a bus transporting mainland China tourists went off the road and into the sea near kilometer 115, he pointed out.
The TRA has arranged flatbread freight cars to transport fresh vegetables and fruits to eastern Taiwan for a discounted price, Chen said, while the Council of Agriculture, in accordance with its typhoon policies, will offer subsidies for those who use the South-Link Highway as a detour for transporting agricultural and aquatic products. "We hope to minimize the impact of these events," the premier said, "but we also have to adjust according to the prevailing circumstances."
The Suhua Highway is estimated to reopen as a single lane for regular-sized cars on December 31. The road will be opened for trucks weighing under 20 tonnes before the Lunar New Year in February. For safety considerations, there is not yet a date for trucks weighing over 35 tonnes to be permitted. Transportation businesses are concerned for their livelihood, however, and the MOTC should respond to them and emphasize the importance of road security and restoration projects, Chen advised.