Improvement Projects for National Freeway 1's Yuanshan Interchange and Bridge Kick Off

(CNA, Taipei, June 9, by reporter Yu Hsiao-han) To improve congestion near the Taipei and Yuanshan interchanges, the Freeway Bureau has initiated the "Improvement Project for the Northbound Lanes of National Freeway No. 1 at Taipei and Yuanshan Interchanges" and the "Life Extension and Reinforcement Improvement Project for Yuanshan Bridge on National Freeway No. 1," with expected completion and opening to traffic between 2029 and 2030.

A blessing ceremony was held today for the two projects by the Ministry of Transportation and Communications' Freeway Bureau.

Freeway Bureau Director-General Chen Wen-jui stated that the improvement projects for the Taipei and Yuanshan interchanges were proactively proposed by the Ministry of Transportation and the Freeway Bureau. All construction will take place within the freeway's right-of-way, requiring no new land acquisition. The total cost is NT$4.172 billion, with completion and opening expected successively from 2029 to 2030.

The Freeway Bureau pointed out that the Taipei Interchange improvement project will add new ramp bridges and a box culvert to improve traffic weaving on the main line, collector-distributor roads, and the surrounding area of Chongqing North Road. The Yuanshan Interchange improvement will add a new southbound exit ramp directly connecting to Songjiang Road and an additional box culvert to divert traffic heading towards Songjiang Road earlier, reducing weaving and ramp backups on the northern section of the Jianguo Viaduct.

The Bureau said that by adding three new ramp bridges and two box culverts, the projects will optimize the connection between the freeway and local roads, resolving four traffic weaving points and saving 20 minutes of travel time.

Additionally, as the Yuanshan Bridge has been in operation for 50 years, the Freeway Bureau has proposed a life extension and reinforcement project. The project cost is approximately NT$2.061 billion, also fully funded by the National Freeway Fund, and is expected to be completed in July 2029.

The Freeway Bureau stated that the Yuanshan Bridge project will enhance structural safety and durability by adding steel arches, steel column supports, and bridge reinforcement. This will control future vertical displacement, improve driving comfort for road users, and aims to extend the bridge's service life by more than 50 years.

Minister of Transportation Chen Shih-kai noted that a total of about NT$6 billion has been invested in these three projects. He hopes the interchange improvements will open up traffic bottlenecks and alleviate congestion. For the Yuanshan Bridge, which has been in use for over 50 years, he hopes this reinforcement project will allow it to be used for another 50 years or more. (Editor: Chang Ming-kun) 20260609