Taiwan’s first movable bridge allowing the passage of boats, the Dapeng Bay Bridge in Pingtung County, opened for traffic March 27.
ROC President Ma Ying-jeou, speaking at the inauguration ceremony, said, “It’s hard not to be inspired by this bridge, which represents a new stage of development for Pingtung and southern Taiwan.”
“The drawbridge opens to a 75-degree angle in only 2 minutes, allowing a 20-meter-wide waterway for tall-masted sailboats and other vessels,” said Chang Lung-cheng, deputy director of the Dapeng Bay National Scenic Area Administration.
“Viewed from different angles, the bridge looks like a sail or a fiddler crab, which is a unique species in Dapeng Bay,” Pan Tsuei-ping, the administration’s recreational section chief said. “We expect tourism in the area to be boosted following the opening of the bridge,” she added.
According to Chang, Dapeng Bay is a choked lagoon with gentle wind and waves, well suited to water sports.
The bridge, 579 meters long and 30 meters wide, was built in three years at a cost of NT$170 million (US$57.6 million). It overlooks Tawushan to the east and Xiaoliuqiu Island to the west. (THN)
Write to Grace Kuo at morningk@mail.gio.gov.tw