Taiwan to Get a New HSR Station! 'Connecting Northern Taiwan, Easy Transfer to TRA' Latest Route Map Revealed, Completion and Opening Date Announced

Eastern Taiwan's rail transit network has achieved a historic breakthrough! On July 23, 2026, the Executive Yuan formally approved the 'HSR Extension to Yilan' project during its cabinet meeting. Simultaneously, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications released the policy white paper 'Building a 4x90-Minute Island-Wide Efficient Railway Network,' announcing that this national-level mega-project, with an estimated total cost of NT$352.175 billion, has officially entered the implementation phase. Upon completion, the direct train from Taipei Nangang to Yilan will take approximately 28 minutes, completely transforming transportation and lifestyles between northern and eastern Taiwan. With comprehensive planning procedures completed, the government aims to begin excavation as early as 2029, targeting full operation 11 years after approval (by 2037). Major Breakthrough for Eastern Taiwan's Transportation! Executive Yuan Approves 'HSR Extension to Yilan' NT$352.1 Billion to Build a 28-Minute Taipei-Yilan Lifestyle Zone Item Details Approval Date July 23, 2026 (formally approved by Executive Yuan cabinet) Route Length 60.6 km (extending eastward from HSR Nangang Station, over 98% of the line consists of bridges and tunnels) Areas Passed Through New Taipei's Xizhi, Pingxi, Shuangxi, Gongliao, to Yilan's Toucheng, Jiaoxi, and Yilan City (avoiding the Feitsui Reservoir watershed) Station Location HSR Yilan Station: Approximately 350 meters south of Yilan County Government Center (elevated design, parallel co-location with TRA) Logistics Base Daily and monthly inspection and maintenance base: Located north of the Lanyang River Estimated Total Cost Approximately NT$352.1 billion Projected Timeline Targeting construction start in 2029 and opening by 2037 (about 11 years after approval) Travel Time Direct train from Taipei Nangang to Yilan in about 28 minutes (significantly shorter than current TRA or road congestion) Operation Model Integrated into the western HSR system, enabling 'one-train-through, no transfer required' Surrounding Development 420-hectare HSR Special Zone (planning for 40-hectare station exclusive zone, scenic axis facing Guishan Island, and over 1,000 units of social housing) Route avoids Feitsui Reservoir watershed Dual-track integration with TRA Eastern Trunk Line The HSR Extension to Yilan project, led by the Railway Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, passed the Environmental Protection Administration's environmental impact assessment in August 2025. To minimize impact on natural ecosystems, the 60.6-kilometer route detours to avoid the Feitsui Reservoir watershed, extending eastward from Nangang Station, passing through Xizhi, Pingxi, Shuangxi, and Gongliao in New Taipei City, then entering Toucheng and Jiaoxi in Yilan County, and finally reaching Yilan City. The entire line includes 10 tunnels, with bridge and tunnel structures accounting for over 98%. Regarding station planning, the HSR Yilan Station has been confirmed to be located approximately 350 meters south of the Yilan County Government Center. The station will be elevated, with 2 island platforms and 4 tracks, and will be constructed in parallel with the ongoing 'Yilan to Luodong Railway Elevated' project. Passengers will be able to transfer directly to TRA services on the ground level to reach various townships south and north of the Yilan River or the Hualien-Taitung region. Additionally, the maintenance base will be located north of the Lanyang River (daily and monthly inspection and maintenance base) to ensure safe train operations. HSR Extension to Yilan Project Route Diagram. (Image/ Railway Bureau, MOTC) Taiwan's First Seaview HSR Station! 420-Hectare Special Zone Plans for Over 1,000 Social Housing Units In addition to the main rail construction, the Railway Bureau has commissioned Yilan County Government to develop the 'Yilan HSR Special Zone Urban Plan.' The special zone covers an area of 420 hectares (north to County Citizen Avenue, south to Lanyang River embankment, east to National Highway No. 5, west to Zhongshan Road). The core HSR station exclusive zone occupies about 40 hectares, with the station platform designed as a 3-story elevated structure, approximately 15 meters high. The design team has specially reserved a scenic axis facing Guishan Island, making Yilan Station the only HSR station in Taiwan capable of offering distant views of ocean scenery. Additionally, a 1.5-hectare site for social housing has been designated within the zone, planning to construct at least 1,000 units of social housing, achieving dual goals of transportation development and housing justice. Resolving Long-Standing Traffic Bottlenecks Between Taipei and Yilan Different Voices Emerge from Political and Academic Circles The Ministry of Transportation points out that since the HSR opened in the western corridor, a one-day lifestyle circle has been formed, whereas the east has relied solely on TRA and highways. Northern Yilan transportation has long faced three major challenges: severe congestion on National Highway No. 5 during holidays due to excessive traffic concentration, bottleneck limitations on TRA service frequency between Shulin and Qidu sections, and frequent disruptions to external roads caused by extreme weather. The HSR Extension to Yilan will provide a new eastern rail system with high capacity and high resilience. However, the project's approval has also sparked discussions in political and academic circles. Former Minister of Transportation Ho-chin Tan expressed regret, stating that civil appeals regarding the environmental assessment are still ongoing, and the government should not ignore proper procedures. Former Minister without Portfolio Chang King-sen also questioned the project as a 'dead-end HSR,' doubting its limited investment benefits. The project's advancement will still face four major challenges: private sector investment, special zone urban planning review, land acquisition through negotiated purchase, and subsequent administrative litigation. HSR Extension to Yilan Frequently Asked Questions FAQ Q1: How long will the HSR extension to Yilan take? A: According to the Ministry of Transportation's plan, the direct train from Taipei Nangang HSR Station to Yilan Station will take about 28 minutes. Compared to the previously discussed 'Northern Yilan Direct Railway' (travel time about 56 to 64 minutes), the HSR will save nearly half the time and has greater capacity, effectively diverting holiday crowds from National Highway No. 5. Q2: Where is the HSR Yilan Station located? Is transferring to TRA convenient? A: The Yilan HSR Station has been finalized at approximately 350 meters south of the Yilan County Government Center. In the future, a 'parallel co-location of HSR and TRA' design will be adopted, integrating with the Yilan Railway Elevated project, allowing passengers to transfer directly within the station to TRA's Eastern Trunk Line or connect to local bus shuttle systems. Q3: When is the HSR Extension to Yilan expected to be completed and opened? A: The project aims to start construction in 2029 and open in 2037. However, the actual progress will depend on subsequent urban planning reviews, land acquisition progress, and outcomes of related administrative litigation.