The Jiji railway line will reopen July 9, after service was suspended 14 months ago due to structural damages, the Taiwan Railway Administration said July 4.
“After the Sept. 21 earthquake of 1999, cracks appeared in the tunnels along the line, causing severe water leaks,” a TRA official said.
“Though the cracks were mended, to ensure traffic safety and enhance the tunnels’ ability to withstand earthquakes, the TRA decided to suspend service and improve conditions along the 29.7-kilometer route,” the official added.
Reconstruction efforts took place between April 17, 2010, and June 30, 2011, at a cost of NT$150 million (US$5.17 million), the official said.
“With the line now back in service, passenger volume is expected to increase from 300,000 per year to 500,000.”
One of Taiwan’s oldest railway routes, the Jiji line was built during the Japanese colonial period (1895-1945).
It connects Changhua County’s Ershui Township and Nantou County’s Shuili Township, and has seven tunnels along the way with the oldest ones built in 1925.
In the past only a special type of diesel train, the diesel railcar, could run on Jiji, as the tunnels were too narrow to accommodate any other type of train, according to the official.
“But now that the tunnels have been rebuilt, different types of train can use the line,” the official said.
According to the TRA, two steam locomotives CK 101 and CK 124 will be joined for a run on the opening day. (HZW)
Write to Grace Kuo at morningk@mail.gio.gov.tw