Taiwan Quick Take: MRT line breaks ground

Taipei's Department of Rapid Transit Systems launched a groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) System's Songshan Line yesterday. About 3km in length, the line will begin at Ximen Station on the MRT's Banciao-Nangang Line and end at Songshan Station. The entire project is scheduled to be finished by 2013 and will cost the city NT$7.38 billion (US$231 million). Once completed, the travel time from Ximen to Songshan will be reduced to 15 minutes. Seven stations will be placed along the underground line, which will pass through several busy intersections, including Zhonghua Rd, Civil Boulevard, Nanjing W Rd and Bade Rd. The completion of the Songshan Line will also mark the formation of a well-rounded MRT network in the Taipei Metropolitan area, Taipei officials said.