Taipei City Government

Taipei City DORTS stated that the overall construction progress of Wanda line (Phase I) is currently over 85.6%. Dynamic testing of the main line commenced in May, symbolizing that construction on this civil engineering project had entered the key stage of system integration testing. On August 3, Taipei City Mayor Chiang Wan-an and New Taipei City Mayor Hou Yu-ih rode for a train test together as a testament to the impressive results of dynamic train testing on the main line. They also expressed their gratitude to the construction team for their long hours of diligent efforts on the project.

Mayor Chiang stated the roll out of dynamic testing on the main line not only represents the forward momentum of progress on the construction but also symbolizes another step toward the future opening of the line. As an important MRT construction linking Taipei City and New Taipei City, in the future Wanda line will connect various living circles together including Zhongzheng and Wanhua Districts in Taipei City and Yonghe, Zhonghe, and Tucheng Districts in New Taipei City; furthermore, it will also provide transfer connections with Tamsui-Xinyi line, Songshan-Xindian line, and the Circular line. In addition, the current 40 minutes of time needed to commute from Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall Station to Zhonghe Senior High School Station will be reduced to just 14 minutes, dramatically improving the convenience of public transportation and making further improvements to the MRT network in Taipei City and New Taipei City.

DORTS pointed out that the dynamic testing currently underway on the main line is a key milestone in the construction of the Wanda line and also represents the movement of the project from the civil construction phase to the system integration and validation phase. DORTS will adhere to the planned testing schedule covering the entire line and conduct gradual verification of EMUs, the power supply, signals, communications, and platform doors; moreover, they will complete construction and be prepared to meet the standards for the subsequent opening of the line for operations through the accumulated results of validation testing. 

DORTS also mentioned that investor solicitation has been completed for eight development sites, including those at Jincheng Depot and Juguang Station, with the investment total exceeding NT$50 billion. The building planning, design, and construction for each of the joint development projects at each station have begun one after another, and following the completion of construction, the works will bring about further improvements to the overall surrounding area.

DORTS further elaborated that Wanda line (Phase I) construction is proceeding at breakneck speed, with civil engineering continually underway at all stations, including structural tasks, building renovation, work on electrical and water systems, environmental controls, and road updates. Electromechanical systems facilities are also being completed step by step in accordance with planning; furthermore, the mass-produced EMUs have also been arriving at Jincheng Depot one after another, with 19 trains set to be ready by the end of the year. To that end, train operations and the functionality of all electromechanical equipment are continually being monitored.

Mayor Chiang stated that local representatives and other distinguished guests had been invited to participate in the event, and in addition to letting them bear witness to the current achievements of the Wanda line, he also express his gratitude for the long-term support from all sectors of society for enabling the project to move forward steadily step-by-step. There are no administrative boundaries for MRT construction, and it is only through strengthened cooperation between Taipei and New Taipei City that residents will be able to enjoy a more convenient transportation system which promotes balanced urban development. 

DORTS emphasized that they will continue to promote a wide variety of operations to ensure that construction works at each station proceed according to schedule. During the process of gradually removing fencing toward the end of the year, DORTS will ensure that safety is maintained at the construction sites and on the roads. This will enable citizens to feel that “returning the roads to the people” is more than just an empty slogan, both prior to and after the routes have been opened for operations, and that it will convey tangible changes in their everyday lives. The Taipei City and New Taipei City teams are working in close cooperation to enable “safety, convenience, and tangible improvements” to be the most lasting impressions left on residents of Taipei and New Taipei City following the opening of Wanda line (Phase I).