Traffic congestion could emerge on 11 freeway sections across Taiwan today, the final day of the Retrocession Day long weekend, the Freeway Bureau said yesterday.
Taiwan celebrates Retrocession Day on Oct. 25 to commemorate the Republic of China's formal takeover of Taiwan and Penghu from Japan on Oct. 25, 1945, marking the end of 50 years of Japanese colonial rule.
Photo: CNA
This year, as the national holiday falls on a Sunday, a compensatory day off is being observed today, bringing heavy traffic to roads and large crowds to railroad stations as travelers return from trips.
In a statement, the bureau advised motorists in southern Taiwan to set off before 9am, those in central Taiwan to leave before noon and drivers heading north on Freeway No. 5 to depart before 9am.
Among the freeway sections likely to be congested are northbound sections of Freeway No. 1 between Siluo (西螺) and the Puyan (埔鹽) System Interchange, Nantun (南屯) and Houli (后里), and Miaoli and Hukou (湖口); and Freeway No. 3 sections between Jhushan (竹山) and Jhongsing (中興), Caotun (草屯) and Wufeng (霧峰), Dashan (大山) and Siangshan (香山), and Guansi (關西) and Dasi (大溪).
Other potential bottlenecks include the northbound section of Freeway No. 5 between Yilan and Pinglin (坪林) and the westbound section of Freeway No. 4 between the Tanzi (潭子) System Interchange and Fengshih (豐勢).
The westbound section of Freeway No. 6 between East Caotun and the Wufeng System Interchange and the westbound section of Freeway No. 10 between Renwu (仁武) and the Zuoying (左營) terminus could also see heavy traffic.
Meanwhile, Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp said it would operate more than 100 northbound trains today, with the peak travel period expected to run from 2pm to 9pm to absorb a possible surge of travelers.
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