Work starts on Circle Line section through Neihu Technology Park

Taipei, Feb. 4 (CNA) A groundbreaking ceremony was held on Wednesday for a section of the Taipei Metro Circular Line East Section that passes through Neihu Technology Park.

The ceremony marked the start of "Contract CF710," a portion of the Circular Line that will connect Zhongshan and Neihu districts along Jingye 3rd Road, Lequn 2nd Road, and Ruikang Road, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said.

The project includes the construction of three underground metro stations and four shield tunnels, Chiang said.

Acknowledging potential inconvenience to nearby residents, Chiang said he had ordered the responsible departments multiple times to implement supporting measures to ease traffic congestion, while continuing to heed public feedback.

Cheng Tao-hsin (程道信), a senior official at the Department of Rapid Transit Systems, said construction under Contract CF710 would build a slurry wall in the latter half of this year and continue into next year, which will affect nearby traffic.

He explained that to minimize disruption, sidewalks and park green space will be adjusted for traffic flow, while Zhouzi Street and Ruikang Road may be converted to one-way streets.

Chiang noted that over the past three years, construction on the southern and northern portions of the Circular Line has already begun, and contractors have been selected for four of the six sections of the East Section.

He added that once complete, commuters can expect 11-minute travel times from Neihu Technology Park to Shilin, and 14 minutes to Xiangshan in Xinyi District.

The completion of the eastern section of the Circular Line is expected to significantly ease Neihu's traffic congestion, Chiang said.