Construction Begins on Elevated Intersection Improvements for Provincial Highway 61 in Miaoli

According to the Central News Agency, the MOTC is pushing forward with an improvement plan for 23 intersections along Provincial Highway 61 from New Taipei to Miaoli. On the 26th, construction began on the Miaoli section, which involves elevating 12 intersections. Minister of Transportation Chen Shih-kai expressed his hope that the project will be completed on time and to a high standard, enhancing both traffic safety and the efficiency of the main line. The groundbreaking ceremony was held in Houlong Township, attended by Minister Chen, Miaoli County Magistrate Chung Tung-chin, and local representatives. Minister Chen noted that while the original design was flat to respect local opinions, the high volume of intersections created safety threats and congestion. To address this, the central government is investing over NT$40 billion to elevate 23 intersections across New Taipei, Hsinchu, and Miaoli. The Miaoli section spans 11.82 kilometers with a budget of NT$26.1 billion. Once completed, travel time is expected to be reduced by 15 minutes, and annual accidents are projected to drop by 40%. The current phase, the fifth contract, is scheduled for completion in January 2029.