Three Lives Lost on This Bridge This Year! Road Closure Before Ghost Month for 'Bao Zheng Night Court' Ritual; Township Office Warns: Avoid Specific Time Slot

The Xiaobantian Viaduct, a landmark in Lugu Township, Nantou County, has seen three fatal falls this year, sparking anxiety among locals. The Lugu Township Office announced it will close the bridge from 2:00 PM on August 11 to 8:00 PM on August 12, just before the opening of Ghost Month, to hold a 'Ling Lu Ming Tong Peace Ceremony.' As part of the event, Bao Zheng, the revered deity from Baoqing Temple in Zhushan Township, will be invited to preside over a rare 'Bao Zheng Night Court' ritual on the evening of August 11, aiming to deliver justice for wrongfully deceased souls. During the ceremony, certain periods will see full road closures, with both vehicles and pedestrians prohibited from entering.

Xiaobantian Viaduct, the highest arch bridge in Nantou County, has seen three fatal falls this year. Local unease has led to the decision to hold a ritual to pacify spirits.

Spanning 370 meters with a deck height of 60 meters above ground, Xiaobantian Viaduct is the tallest arch bridge in Nantou County and a vital artery for tourism and industrial transport in the region. After three consecutive fatal falls this year, local residents have voiced growing concern, urging officials to hold a spiritual ceremony to cleanse negative energy. In response, the Lugu Township Office has planned a two-day closure, with assistance from local temples—Tianlin Temple, Baoxing Temple, and Zantian Temple—to pray for community-wide peace and safety.

In folk belief, Lord Bao (Bao Zheng) is renowned for 'judging the living by day and the dead by night.' According to reports by Sanlih News, the Lugu Township Office has specially invited Lord Bao from Baoqing Temple in Zhushan to preside over the 'Bao Zheng Night Court' from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM on August 11. The presiding Taoist priest, Mr. Chen, explained that as a major traffic route, the Beihsi Creek beneath the bridge may harbor 'water-drowned souls' and spirits of recent victims, making a memorial ceremony essential. He emphasized that the 'Night Court' aims to allow wronged souls to seek justice through divine intervention, unlike intense exorcism rituals such as 'Sending the Meat Dumpling.' While the public need not panic, he strongly advised against gathering near the site during the ritual.

(Image provided by Lugu Township Office)

Traffic Advisory: Full Closure from 8–11 PM on August 11 and 3–6 PM on August 12

According to the Lugu Township Office, general traffic control will be in effect from 2:00 PM on August 11 to 8:00 PM on August 12. Access points at both ends of the viaduct will be closed, and drivers must follow detour signs. Two periods will have full closures, with both the bridge and detour routes strictly off-limits to all vehicles and pedestrians: August 11, 8:00–11:00 PM (Bao Zheng Night Court) and August 12, 3:00–6:00 PM (All Non-Essential Personnel Must Avoid).

The restricted zone extends from Taichidien Wengzaiji (Lugu Shanshang Branch) to the Xiaobantian Archway (before Xinzhuan Lane). The township office urges travelers, tourists, and commuters heading to Xiaobantian between August 11 and 12 to check traffic advisories in advance and plan their routes accordingly.