Independent reviewers estimate it is to cost more than NT$400 million (US$12.38 million) to reinforce sections of the MRT Circular Line after damage caused by last month’s earthquake, the New Taipei City Government said on Monday.
During the magnitude 7.2 quake on April 3, 11 sections of the rail line between Jhonghe (中和) and Banciao (板橋) districts shifted by distances of up to 92cm.
Damage was more serious than initial estimates, with city officials late last month saying it would take at least a year to repair.
Photo courtesy of the New Taipei City Government
Additional reinforcements have been made to ensure stability as frequent aftershocks continue to shake Taiwan, New Taipei City Department of Rapid Transit Systems Director Lee Cheng-an (李政安) said on Monday.
Monitoring shows that the reinforcements have maintained structural stability through the aftershocks, Lee said.
To determine the extent of the structural damage, the department is sharing data with independent experts who on Friday last week convened a third review meeting, he said.
The experts held six seismic force simulations and formulated suggestions for how to improve earthquake safety, Lee said.
They estimate that an additional NT$400 million is needed to reinforce the line, he said, adding that the experts would also assist in determining who should be held financially responsible, although the initial cost would be borne by the city government.
In the meantime, buses would continue to run between Banciao and Jhonghe stations, with adjustments to be made on a rolling basis depending on commuter needs, he added.
Aftershocks from a magnitude 6.2 earthquake that struck off Yilan County at 3:45pm yesterday could reach a magnitude of 5 to 5.5, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said. Seismological Center technical officer Chiu Chun-ta (邱俊達) told a news conference that the epicenter of the temblor was more than 100km from Taiwan. Although predicted to measure between magnitude 5 and 5.5, the aftershocks would reach an intensity of 1 on Taiwan’s 7-tier scale, which gauges the actual effect of an earthquake, he said. The earthquake lasted longer in Taipei because the city is in a basin, he said. The quake’s epicenter was about 128.9km east-southeast
GENSLER SURVEY: ‘Economic infrastructure is not enough. A city needs to inspire pride, offer moments of joy and foster a sense of belonging,’ the company said Taipei was named the city with the “highest staying power” in the world by US-based design and architecture firm Gensler. The Taiwanese capital earned the top spot among 65 cities across six continents with 64 percent of Taipei respondents in a survey of 33,000 people saying they wanted to stay in the city. Rounding out the top five were Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City (61 percent), Singapore (59 percent), Sydney (58 percent) and Berlin (51 percent). Sixth to 10th place went to Monterrey, Mexico; Munich, Germany; Sao Paulo, Brazil; Vancouver; and Seoul. Cities in the US were ranked separately, with Minneapolis first at
The New Taipei City Government today warned about the often-overlooked dangers of playing in water, and recommended safe swimming destinations to cool off from the summer heat. The following locations in the city as safe and fun for those looking to enjoy the water: Chienshuiwan (淺水灣), Baishawan (白沙灣), Jhongjiao Bay (中角灣), Fulong Beach Resort (福隆海水浴場) and Sansia District’s (三峽) Dabao River (大豹溪), New Taipei City Tourism and Travel Department Director-General Yang Tsung-min (楊宗珉) said. Outdoor bodies of water have variables outside of human control, such as changing currents, differing elevations and environmental hazards, all of which can lead to accidents, Yang said. Sudden
Tropical Storm Podul has formed over waters north-northeast of Guam and is expected to approach the seas southeast of Taiwan next week, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said today. The 11th Pacific storm of the year developed at 2am over waters about 2,660km east of Oluanpi (歐鑾鼻), Pingtung County — Taiwan's southernmost tip. It is projected to move westward and could have its most significant impact on Taiwan on Wednesday and Thursday next week, the CWA said. The agency did not rule out the possibility of issuing a sea warning at that time. According to the CWA's latest update, Podul is drifting west-northwest
RSS