Mayor Chiang Wan-an Presides Over Taipei City Section Tunnel Breakthrough Ceremony
The tunnel breakthrough ceremony for the Taipei City section of MRT Wanda line Phase I construction was held in the morning of July 4 at Xiaan Station. Mayor Chiang Wan-an paid a special visit to personally inspect the site and expressed his sincere gratitude to the MRT team for their diligent efforts. DORTS stated that Wanda line Phase I construction runs from Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Station to Tucheng Jincheng Depot, and with a total length of 9.5km, it includes nine underground stations, one depot, and 18 shield tunnels. The current construction progress has reached 74.80%, and it is expected to be completed in 2027. DORTS further elaborated that ten shield tunnels (including river-crossing tunnels) have been completed and connected in the Taipei City section of Wanda line Phase I construction, and this symbolizes a new milestone in the progress of Wanda line construction with the Taipei City section fully connected and launched. During his speech, Mayor Chiang stated that Taipei City Government actively promotes urban renewal projects, and the “Zhongzheng Wanhua Revitalization Plan” is one of the most important projects in the revitalization of the western district. Taking MRT Wanda line as its engine and from the perspective of comprehensive regional planning, it will link together major construction projects, public resources etc., and combined together with various development in the surrounding area, it will restore the splendor of the old urban area. DORTS pointed out that Wanda line Phase I construction traverses Zhongzheng District and Wanhua District in Taipei City; moreover, Zhongzheng District is the location of the nation’s finance center as well as the Nanhai Academy cultural district. Meanwhile, Wanhua District, which continues to maintain its pristineness amid the bustling light and shadows of the city, is the area with the most abundant traditional culture and lifestyles. These valuable characteristics have been integrated into the design of the stations in order to showcase the local characteristics of each station. DORTS Second District Project Office (2nd DPO) explained that Wanda line is located in a densely developed corridor with high transportation demands. In consideration of the local transportation demands, it is anticipated that Wanda line will expand the scope of services in the MRT system. 2nd DPO stated that in addition to Phase I construction, Phase II construction will be one of the largest construction projects in Taipei Metropolitan Area over the next decade. Furthermore, construction has successively commenced on section contract CQ890 in the elevated section of Shulin and Xinzhuang Districts as well as on section contract CQ880A in the underground section of Tucheng District. Meanwhile tendering process is currently being actively implemented for section contract CQ880B in the elevated section of Tucheng District. DORTS emphasized that after Wanda line construction has been completed in its entirety, it will integrate the overall benefits of the transportation network in the Taipei City, New Taipei City, and Taoyuan City metropolitan area and satisfy travel demands between Zhongzheng and Wanhua Districts in Taipei City and Zhonghe, Yonghe, Tucheng, Banqiao, Shulin, and Xinzhuang Districts in New Taipei City. It will also provide transfer connections with the Xinlu line, the Bannan line, the Songshan-Xindian line, and the Tamsui-Xinyi line. It is expected to create convenient lifestyles and enhance regional economic benefits.