The closure of the Xinsheng overpass (新生高架橋) on Saturday has caused rush hour traffic jams along alternative routes such as Zhongshan N Road and Minzu W Road, the Taipei City Government said yesterday.
Officials urged residents to take public transportation or avoid driving during rush hours for the duration of the work on the overpass.
Traffic on the four major alternative roads — Zhongshan N, Chengde, Minzu W and Minquan E roads — increased as much as 90 percent on Monday compared with the week before, and drivers should expect to add at least 20 minutes to their commute during rush hour, Taipei City’s Department of Transportation said yesterday.
REPAIR WORK
The Taipei City Government closed the southbound side of the overpass from the Yuanshan (圓山) approach road to Jinan Road and the northbound side from Minsheng E Road until Sept. 30 for repair work and reinforcement of the bridge structure.
Drivers heading to Shilin (士林) and western areas of Beitou (北投) are advised to take Chengde, Chongqing N or Huanhe N roads, while those heading for Dazhi (大直) and eastern areas of Beitou are urged to take Beian, Fuxing N or Minquan E roads, or use the Jianguo overpass.
Luo Shiaw-shyan (羅孝賢), commissioner of the department, said it had adjusted the timing of traffic lights along the alternative routes during rush hour in an effort to improve traffic flow.
PEAK HOURS
Drivers should avoid driving at peak hours between 7:30am and 9am and from 6pm to 7pm, he said.
Residents heading downtown from Shilin and Beitou are encouraged to take the MRT. Luo said the department has also increased the number of buses traveling along the alternative routes.
PATIENT
Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin (郝龍斌) said the repair work was aimed at making the 25-year-old bridge safer and urged the public to be patient while the work is carried out.
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