Tainan Proposes Improvement for National Freeway No. 1 Rende Interchange, Suggests Adding a Southbound Exit Ramp

(Central News Agency, reporter Yang Sirui, Tainan, July 6) The Legislative Yuan's Transportation Committee visited Tainan today to review proposals for "adding a southbound exit ramp at the National Freeway No. 1 Rende Interchange to connect to Wenshan Road" and "connecting Ping Shi Road in the East District to the National Freeway No. 1 side road." Minister of Transportation and Communications Chen Shih-kai pledged to promote the projects after feasibility assessments are presented.

Lin Chun-hsien, convener of the Legislative Yuan's Transportation Committee and a Democratic Progressive Party legislator, stated that traffic congestion around the National Freeway No. 1 Rende Interchange is severe, even affecting the flow of traffic on the main freeway. He believes that adding a southbound exit ramp to connect to Wenshan Road would reduce the backup of vehicles waiting at the existing exit ramp. It would also decrease the traffic volume of vehicles turning right from the current southbound exit ramp onto Provincial Highway 182, and from Provincial Highway 182 turning right onto Wende Road.

Lin Chun-hsien indicated that the estimated project cost is approximately NT$95 million, and the land required for the new ramp is all publicly owned, making land acquisition relatively straightforward. He suggested that the Ministry of Transportation and Communications approve the Freeway Bureau to directly handle the planning and design, and that the Tainan City Government propose medium- to long-term feasibility assessment plans for the surrounding road network to improve the overall traffic situation.

DPP legislator Wang Ting-yu stated that in addition to adding an exit, a two-pronged approach is needed. He proposed extending the entrance ramp lane for southbound National Freeway No. 1 from Rende Zhongshan Road to near the connection point of Provincial Highway 86, effectively adding a lane on the freeway itself, which would significantly absorb and divert the large volume of traffic currently stuck on surface roads.

Lin Chun-hsien mentioned that the "connecting Ping Shi Road in the East District to the National Freeway No. 1 side road" plan aims to open up Ping Shi Road to the National Freeway No. 1 side road, dispersing the commuter traffic currently concentrated on routes like Xiaodong Road and Yunong Road, and alleviating surrounding traffic problems.

Lin Chun-hsien explained that this planned section is adjacent to the Wangliao South Military Camp. The route proposed by the Tainan City Government involves passing through the military camp, while the route recommended by the Ministry of National Defense is more circuitous and has higher engineering costs. He expressed hope that the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, and the Tainan City Government will further deliberate, present medium- to long-term feasibility assessments, and then the central government will assist in cross-ministerial integration to find the optimal solution.

Chen Shih-kai stated that the Ministry of Transportation and Communications has always prioritized interchange improvement issues. The installation of ramps will be carried out in phases. After the feasibility assessment is presented, the Freeway Bureau will handle the subsequent related expenses. (Editor: Li Hsi-chang) 1150706

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