Kaohsiung Advances People-Centered Transportation! Fuxing 1st Road Redesign and Early Removal of Minzu Elementary Footbridge

The Kaohsiung City Government continues to promote the development of a people-centered transportation environment. The Department of Public Works has simultaneously completed road improvements on Fuxing 1st Road in Sinsing District and the demolition of the pedestrian bridge at Minzu Elementary School in Sanmin District. Through road layout adjustments, the addition of marked crosswalks, and the creation of flat pedestrian spaces, the city has improved road safety and traffic quality, creating a more friendly urban environment.

Public Works Director Yang Chin-fu stated that Fuxing 1st Road is a major transportation artery connecting Sinsing and Sanmin Districts, lined with shops, hotels, and restaurants, and located near popular attractions such as Nanhua Shopping District, Liuhe Night Market, and Xiaoyao Garden. For years, the area has experienced heavy pedestrian and vehicle traffic. This project involved repaving approximately 7,000 square meters of road surface from Zhongzheng 3rd Road to Qixian 1st Road, adjusting road configurations, adding dedicated left-turn lanes, and creating marked sidewalks 1.2 to 1.5 meters wide to provide safer passage for pedestrians.

The Road Maintenance Engineering Office noted that recycled asphalt concrete was used in this project to reduce carbon emissions. Additionally, manhole undergrounding and side ditch improvements were implemented to enhance road smoothness and durability. After completion, excavation bans will be strictly enforced to extend the road’s lifespan and ensure high-quality travel conditions.

Meanwhile, the old pedestrian bridge at the intersection of Jueming Road and Pingdeng Road in Sanmin District, connecting Minzu Elementary School and Zhengxing Junior High School, began demolition on July 5. Originally scheduled for a five-day timeline, the construction team completed the bridge removal and restored road access in just three days, minimizing traffic disruption.

The Road Works Office explained that the Minzu Elementary School footbridge had seen declining usage and was aging. In line with barrier-free and people-centered transportation policies, it has been replaced with a ground-level crossing design. Follow-up work will include sidewalk restoration, pavement repair, and traffic facility adjustments, including the addition of pedestrian refuge islands to improve visibility and crossing safety. This will also create a more open and attractive streetscape.

The Public Works Department stated that it will continue to promote road improvements and pedestrian environment optimization, balancing traffic efficiency, pedestrian safety, and urban aesthetics to gradually build a safer, more convenient, and livable transportation environment.