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Hsuehshan tunnel link to Ilan opens

A man looks at a memorial to workers who died during the construction of the Hsuehshan Tunnel yesterday. The memorial is located in Shihding. PHOTO: LO PEI-DER, TAIPEI TIMES

Fifteen years after construction began, the Hsuehshan tunnel (雪山隧道) will open to the public today at 1pm.

The tunnel project began on July 15, 1991, with construction spanning the terms of two presidents and eight premiers.

To mark the start of the tunnel's operation, Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) will preside over a ceremony in Shihding (石碇) in memory of workers who died during the tunnel's construction. He will then drive through the tunnel, giving former premiers Frank Hsieh (謝長廷), Yu Shyi-kun and Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) a ride to the home of Yu's family in Ilan.

During the initial operating period, traffic will be restricted to small cars, and the driving speed will be limited to between 50kph and 70kph.

Trucks and other large vehicles will have to get off the expressway at the Pinglin (坪林) or Toucheng (頭城) interchanges depending on whether they are traveling south or north. Failure to do so will result in a NT$3,000 fine.

Tunnel regulations * During the initial operating period, only small cars are allowed in the tunnel. The speed limit is 50kph to 70kph. * Trucks and other large vehicles must leave the freeway at the Pinglin (坪林) interchange if traveling south or Toucheng (頭城) interchange if northbound. Failure to do so will result in a NT$3,000 fine. *Drivers must leave their headlights on and maintain a distance of 50m from other vehicles. * Drivers may not change lanes once inside the tunnel. * Violating these regulations will result in a fine of between NT$3,000 and NT$24,000. Graphic: TT

Drivers must turn on their headlights and keep a distance of 50m from other vehicles. They may not change lanes once inside the tunnel.

Violations of these regulations will result of a fine of between NT$3,000 and NT$24,000.

According to a CNA report, officials said that the police have installed four speed-monitoring cameras each inside the south and northbound lanes of the tunnel, and police will travel through the tunnel at 20 minute to 30 minute intervals to assure that traffic regulations are being followed.

The Taiwan Area National Expressway Engineering Bureau anticipates traffic jams on the Chiang Wei-shui Freeway (Freeway No. 5) between Taipei and Ilan, as many people plan to drive through the tunnel on its opening day. They asked the public to listen to the Police Radio Station on FM 104.9 for the latest traffic updates.

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) has invited past premiers and ministers of the MOTC to attend the opening of the tunnel.

Due to the expected influx of tourists, Ilan County hotels, B&Bs and restaurants will offer discounts to attract customers, and commemorative stamps, coins and alcohol will be available, according to a CNA report.

President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) yesterday called on the public to refrain from politicizing the tunnel's construction.

"It is not right to politicize or smear a simple construction project because they do not like A-bian [Chen's nickname] or his administration," he said in his latest weekly e-newsletter. "It is the biggest humiliation and a significant blow to the feelings of the 25 workers who lost their lives during the construction project, and the tens of thousands of engineers who have committed their time and energy to the 15-year project."

While the freeway belongs to the people and the pictures inside the tunnel are not painted in political colors, Chen said that the people would be the final judge on the project.

Additional reporting by Ko Shu-ling

also see story:
Editorial: There's unity in tunnel vision

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