Features

CEPD greenlights MRT Danshui Line extension

• Publication Date：05/11/2010
• Source： Economic Daily News

The Council for Economic Planning and Development approved a plan May 10 to extend the Taipei Mass Rapid Transit System’s Danshui line to Danhai New Township in Taipei County.

The light-rail transit line is initially estimated to cost NT$9.699 billion (US$307 million) over the next six years to build, with completion of construction expected by 2016 at the earliest.

Officials from the Bureau of High Speed Rail under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said that the line extension to Danhai New Township would cover a total of 14.35 kilometers, with the “green mountain line” being built first, followed by the “blue sea line.” According to the initial plan, the “green mountain line” portion will extend for 9.68 kilometers, with certain sections of the line to be elevated, they explained.

After the “green mountain line” is built, it will bring at least 50,000 new residents to Danhai New Township, MOTC officials said.

At its committee meeting May 10, the CEPD passed the MOTC-proposed Danshui line extension feasibility study plan. Although one member suggested that the committee should first submit to the Executive Yuan for approval a plan to build a high-capacity system, the committee members arrived at a consensus on moving forward with the light-rail project.

The officials noted that there have been few instances domestically of public mass transportation systems being built in line with plans to develop new townships.

More than a few members of the CEPD committee approve of this method of joint development and have indicated that it should be used on other projects in the future, the officials pointed out. (SB)