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Taipei's bridges are safe: bureau

"It is unprofessional to evaluate the condition of a bridge based only on its earthquake resistance."

Chen Wei-jen, director of the Taipei City Government's Bureau of Public Works

Taipei City Government officials yesterday denied accusations that the Bureau of Public Works was failing to properly maintain key bridges and elevated roads in the Taipei metropolitan area.

The officials, responding to the claims of Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) city councilors, said there was no cause for concern over the safety of the structures.

DPP City Councilors Lan Shih-tsung (藍世聰) and Liu Yao-ren (劉耀仁) on Thursday said that at least nine bridges and elevated roads in Taipei failed to meet standards of earthquake resistance and were at risk of collapse because the bureau had not performed the regular maintenance work required.

Lan and Liu alleged that the bureau had not been checking the condition of the bridges regularly, instead allowing bureau employees to fill out spot-check sheets without even examining the structures.

Liu said many of the bridges show serious cracks and rust, jeopardizing the safety of the public and their property.

According to Lan and Liu's investigation, the nine bridges and elevated roads at risk of collapse in the event of a strong earthquake include Wenho Bridge (文和橋), Peihsin Bridge (北新橋), Chienkuo Overpass (建國高架橋), Hsinhai Overpass (辛亥高架橋), Pao Bridge (寶橋), Chengkung Bridge (成功橋), Yungfu Bridge (永福橋) Hsinsheng Overpass (新生高架橋) and Minchuan Bridge (民權橋).

Bureau of Public Works Director Chen Wei-jen (陳威仁) yesterday denied the accusations and said the bureau had set up monitoring equipment on every structure. He said there was no immediate danger in using any of the nine bridges or elevated roads.

"It is unprofessional to evaluate the condition of a bridge based only on its earthquake resistance," Chen said yesterday during an inspection with bureau officials of the New Huannan Overpass (新環南高架橋).

Chen said that a bridge had its own life cycle, just like a human being, and that it was true that some of the bridges cited were "aging."

Chen said, however, that the bureau had already assessed the condition of each structure and had added necessary reinforcement where required.
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