After a morning of smooth traffic flow, the number of cars and scooters on the Zhongxiao Bridge (忠孝橋) began to increase yesterday following the demolition of an onramp connected to the bridge over the Lunar New Year holiday, with officials saying that traffic rose by 3 to 5 percent along the west terminus of Zhongxiao W Road.
Taipei Department of Transportation Commissioner Chung Hui-yu (鍾慧諭) said that traffic was heavy from the ramp leading to the intersection of Zhongxiao W Road and Xining S Road, with department officials saying that cars were moving at a speed of between 10kph and 20kph.
The congestion extended to the middle of the bridge and it took drivers at least five more minutes before they could enter Taipei, Chung said.
Photo: CNA
Yesterday’s heavy traffic on the bridge was in contrast to the conditions on Monday, when there was relatively light traffic and the two other bridges linking Taipei and New Taipei City — Jhongsing (中興橋) and Taipei (台北橋) — were congested, she said.
This was likely the result of more people taking the Zhongxiao Bridge instead of the two other bridges after learning about the fast-moving traffic on Monday, she said, adding that the intercity traffic would probably begin to stabilize next week.
Due to the construction of a new ramp on Zhongxiao W Road beside the historic North Gate, one of the four lanes on the ramp currently used by people to enter Taipei was blocked off.
Chung said that Taipei’s traffic condition should improve in the long run after the completion of the new ramp, which would consist of two lanes.
She urged motorists to refrain from using the Zhongxiao Bridge for the time being when driving to Taipei and to take the two other bridges instead.
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