For the first time in the nation's history, special shuttle buses will take tomb sweepers to their destinations, under a scheme by the Ministry of Transportation and Communication (MOTC) to reduce traffic during this year's tomb-sweeping holiday.
The Highway Bureau announced the traffic-congestion-reduction scheme for the upcoming tomb-sweeping weekend yesterday at a press conference organized by the MOTC.
The two major features of the scheme are 89 lines of tomb-sweeping shuttle buses around the island -- that will take people to and from major cemeteries -- and the opening up of temporary parking lots around public and private cemeteries and temples.
After the bureau's negotiations with local bus companies, a total of 89 shuttle-bus routes will cover over 15 counties and cities around the island, including three routes in Hualien, 48 routes the north, 14 routes in central Taiwan and 24 routes in the south. Supplementary bus services will also be available if needed.
According to statistics given by the Taiwan Area National Freeway Bureau (TANFB), traffic congestion during tomb-sweeping holidays has always been the worst of all the holidays.
"The situation has been worse than Chinese New Year because of the short timeframe. That is why we are implementing the scheme for the tomb-sweeping holidays this year," said Chang Jen-te (張仁德), one of the directors from the Highway Bureau.
At the major cemeteries and temples, besides setting up temporary parking lots, special police forces will also be on site to ease parking problems and to regulate street vendors.
Besides the holiday scheme, the current progress of the Beiyi Freeway was also presented during the press conference. According to deputy director-general of the TANFB, Bane Chiou (
"The connection between the second vertical to the pilot tunnel is to be completed in two months," Chiou said.
As for the flooding that has troubled the construction team and hindered the progress of the penetration of the well, Chiou indicated that he is expecting some some positive improvements this month.
Chiou explained that the construction team has decided to proceed with the penetration of the second vertical well by grouting the well to stop the water from flooding out and then draining off the silted water.
The development of the freeway started with the construction of Tunnel, which began in July 1991.
Due to the unique geographical factors and difficult topography, the project has been a great challenge for seasoned tunnel builders and engineers. In the first few years, there was not much progress due to serious flooding that inundated the construction site.
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