After its completion in 2020, the planned Danjiang Bridge connecting the New Taipei City districts of Tamsui (淡水) and Bali (八里) is expected to reduce the notorious traffic jams in the area and attract 300,000 new residents, Deputy Minister of Transportation and Communications Fan Chih-ku (范植谷) said yesterday.
Construction of the bridge is scheduled to start at the end of next year, Fan said, adding that the bridge will span 6km, crossing the Tamsui River and connecting the districts of Tamsui and Bali.
Since the bridge has been designed to accommodate a light-rail system, it is expected to divert close to 30 percent of the traffic away from Guandu Bridge (關渡大橋) and reduce travel time between Tamsui and Bali by as much as 25 minutes, Fan told a regular Cabinet meeting.
In addition to enhancing the quality of public transport services and boosting local tourism, the bridge could spur urban development in Tamsui and Tamhai New Town (淡海新市鎮), Fan said.
Premier Mao Chi-kuo (毛治國) said that the bridge would help boost the development of the Port of Taipei and ease traffic to Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.
Mao also expressed hope that the bridge and the Tamhai light-rail system could be completed as scheduled.
The launch of the light-rail system is crucial to upgrading the transportation system in the Tamsui area and boosting the development of Tamhai New Town, he said.
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