The plan for a big freeway from Suao (蘇澳) to Hualien is worrisome on so many levels, and the clamor for it to be built epitomizes terrible short-sightedness and money-grubbing.
I live in Hualien, and I would urge others that live here to look around them. I don't see poverty here; I see prosperity. New cars and scooters are everywhere, as well as well-fed people wearing nice clothes. Wages may not be what they are in Taipei, but certainly no one around here looks to be starving or doing too badly.
In terms of its environmental toll, the proposed road would cut through numerous environmentally sensitive zones, spoiling the natural landscape in the process.
Human lives would almost certainly be lost in accidents during construction, as they were during the building of the Hsuehshan Tunnel.
The highway would increase vehicular traffic and consequently the resulting pollution from automobiles up and down the east coast. And for what?
Ostensibly, to bring tourists to Hualien for day trips. Is this truly desirable considering they will also bring pollution and garbage?
Hoteliers would be well served to remember that many visitors would opt not to spend the night in a Hualien hotel if they had the choice of saving the money and sleeping in their own bed at night.
Moreover, Hualien isn't set up to handle a huge influx of automobiles. Most of the city's roads are two lanes only, and already subject to congestion during the tourist season.
More cars would only lead to gridlock. If we encourage more cars, how will anyone get around?
The traffic situation will be simply unmanageable.
Proponents of the new road say that the existing Highway 9 is dangerous. Having driven this road countless times between Hualien and Taipei, I would suggest that it is not the road itself that is dangerous; the danger stems from the reckless and impatient driving behavior of motorists on this road.
I would suggest, as a viable alternative to new road construction, that a fraction of the proposed road's cost be earmarked for driver education and increased traffic law enforcement.
Prudent driving combined with stepped-up policing and regular road maintenance would go a long way toward making this road -- arguably one of the most scenic in the world -- a safer drive.
And in the process, by negating the need for a superhighway, these measures would help to preserve Taiwan's crown jewel, the east coast, for future generations.
Jason Grenier
Hualien County
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