An approach road to Zhongxiao Bridge (忠孝橋) is to be demolished early next year, clearing the area for the 130-year-old historic North Gate (北門) to become an important landmark in western Taipei, the Taipei City Government said.
Taipei Mayor Ko Wen-je (柯文哲) made the decision earlier last week to remove the approach road and has ordered the Taipei Public Works Department to complete the project in eight days by working 24-hour shifts, starting on Feb. 7.
The decision is part of a traffic improvement project, which involves road adjustments and sidewalk widening, Taipei Deputy Mayor Charles Lin (林欽榮) said.
Although the project is scheduled to take only eight days, preparatory work is to start in December. The whole traffic improvement project is to be completed by November next year.
The project is to allow the North Gate, located under the approach road, to become a major cultural landmark near Taipei Railway Station.
Following public concerns that the North Gate could be damaged during the project’s implementation, the city government said it would built a 20m-wide and 10m-high protective barrier next to the historical structure.
Earlier this year, Ko ordered the Public Works Department to remove a bus lane on Zhongxiao West Road in one day.
Department staff said that demolition of the approach road is the first part of a plan to rebuild that area of western Taipei and is to be followed by other public construction projects.
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