Think again, expressway planners told

Taipei County residents, environmentalists and legislators yesterday urged the Construction and Planning Administration to halt construction on a section of the Huan Ho Expressway, saying that residents' quality of life would be jeopardized by a 27m high viaduct being built just 7m away from residential buildings.

Residents from Yungho, Taipei County, yesterday protested in front of the Legislative Yuan, saying the planning process lacks procedures for public participation.

The 21km expressway will cost more than NT$30 million before it is finished with work on the sections in Panchiao and Sanchung already completed. The section passing through Yungho, which links Panchiao and Sanchung, was criticized by residents because of "bad design."

At a public hearing in the Legislative Yuan yesterday, residents said the section passing through Yungho along the Tamshui River would bring unbearable noise and psychological damage.

"It's like the government has sentenced us to jail because we will face a 27m high wall for the next 60 years," said Chiau Wen-yan (邱文彥), a representative of the residents.

Chiau said that the 1.5km section in Yungho would devalue some nearby real estate by at least NT$1.5 billion.

Chiau, also president of Wetlands Taiwan, said that the viaduct would hamper residents' access to the river.

"The government must terminate the project immediately and spend the money on redesigning the riverbank," Chiau said.

In addition, Chiau said the viaduct which is supported by one column, could easily be damaged in the event of an earthquake.

Chiau said the fact that the construction lacked any spirit of sustainable development was ironic, as this year has been designated by the central government as the First Year of Sustainable Development in Taiwan.

Yungho residents' anger was echoed by legislators from across the political spectrum.

"The government should listen to what the people say," said TSU legislator Su Ying-kwei (蘇盈貴), who chaired the hearing.

DPP legislator Chen Chin-Chiung (陳景峻) said the construction should not be carried out if concerns are not dealt with.

Jeng Ming-shiou (鄭明修), a zoologist at Academia Sinica, said the ecological system of Tamshui River had been damaged by poor construction work in the past.

"I don't think the environmental impact assessment for any public construction ever took ecological factors into account," he said.

DPP Legislator Eugene Jao (趙永清) urged the planning administration to discuss with the Ministry of Transportation and Communications whether changes could be made to the original plans.

Su Cheng-wei (蘇振維), deputy director of Transportation Planning Division of transportation and communications ministry's Institute of Transportation, said that the expressway was one of three major ones in Taipei County, which could be regarded as an extension of Taipei City's transportation network.

"Building the expressway is necessary because the existing rapid transit system in Taipei City cannot cope with all commuter traffic," Su said.

Legislators demanded a report from the planning administration on an alternative within one month.