Taipei to impose traffic controls for New Year's Eve countdown party

Taipei, Dec. 18 (CNA) Traffic controls will be imposed starting Dec. 24 on Shifu Road in front of Taipei City Hall ahead of the city's annual New Year's Eve countdown party, the capital's Department of Transportation said Thursday.

Chu Chen-tso (朱宸佐), head of the department's Transportation Management Division, said at a news conference that five eastbound lanes on Shifu Road will be closed from Dec. 24 to make way for the setup of the party's concert stage.

From midnight on Dec. 26, Xinren'ai Road, which connects to the City Hall square, will also be closed to traffic, Chu said, adding that from midnight on Dec. 27 until noon on Jan. 2, both Shifu Road and Xinren'ai Road will be fully closed.

Starting at 7 p.m. on New Year's Eve, vehicles will only be allowed to exit but not to enter the area west of Songren Road, north of Xinyi Road, east of Keelung and Yixian roads, as well as south of Zhongxiao East Road, he said.

Restrictions will be expanded from 8 p.m. to include sections of Yixian and Ren'ai roads, where all entry and exit will be prohibited.

From 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Jan. 1, traffic will be closed to motorists in several other areas, including Lane 236 of Section 5, Zhongxiao East Road, and Songde Road, Chu explained.

He reminded the public that parking lots within the restricted areas will also be closed starting at 5 p.m. on Dec. 31, while roadside parking spots for cars and scooters will be off-limits.

For crowd safety, cycling will be prohibited within the controlled zone, and partygoers are strongly advised to take the MRT instead of driving, Chu added.

Separately, the Taipei Public Transportation Office said various shuttle bus services will be available on Dec. 31 to take people to the New Year's Eve party.