Construction work gets underway on MRT extension

Construction began yesterday on the first part of the Taipei Mass Rapid Transit system's Hsinchuang line.

Construction of the 4km section is scheduled to be completed in December 2009 at a total cost of NT$6 billion.

The 19km-line which will connect Taipei city with Sanchung and Hsinchuang cities in Taipei County is an underground line to be built in four sections.

A 6.4km-long extension line will also be built from Taipei Bridge to Luchou City.

Work on the second section of the Hsinchuang line, which will also cost about NT$6 billion, is scheduled to begin in September.

Addressing the ground-breaking ceremony held in Sanchung yesterday afternoon, Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) said that the construction project could not have begun without the Cabinet's financial support.

The Cabinet has allocated NT$12 billion this year and is planning to allocate NT$9.9 billion more next year.

Premier Chang Chun-hsiung (張俊雄) said that the central government supports the project 100 percent. "The reason why we're behind the project is simple. We're obliged to build a comfortable and convenient mass transportation system for the people," he said.