HSR Extension to Yilan Construction Cost Approaching Western Main Line? Lee Hong-yuan Highlights Budget Blind Spot: Executive Yuan Approved Without Environmental Assessment

Executive Yuan Premier Cho Jung-tai approved the 'High-Speed Rail Extension to Yilan Project' costing NT$352.1 billion at the end of July, with construction expected to begin as early as 2029 and operations commencing by 2036. The project has drawn opposition from former Transportation Minister Ho Ching-dan and former政务委员 Chang Ching-sen, both former DPP officials, who argue that the Executive Yuan is pushing forward regardless of public opinion and that the transportation benefits are limited.

In response, former Interior Minister Lee Hong-yuan criticized the plan during an interview with CTI News on the 15th, pointing out that the annual budget of the Interior Ministry during his tenure was NT$170 billion. He questioned, 'The current HSR extension project costs NT$352.1 billion—how is this calculated? What is the justification?'

Lee noted that the construction cost of the original western HSR main line (Nangang to Zuoying) was approximately NT$513.3 billion. Now, building the HSR from Nangang to Yilan is expected to cost NT$352.1 billion—how exactly is this money being spent? If he had led the project, he said he would have considered using the 'existing TRA line,' allowing passengers to disembark at Yilan and Luodong stations.

However, the plan approved by the Executive Yuan involves new land acquisition and environmental impact assessments. Lee emphasized that the Executive Yuan should clearly explain the site selection rationale, train frequency, and traffic volume comparisons with the Snow Mountain Tunnel. 'Since Yilan lacks a mass transit system, passengers arriving at the station will need to rent cars anyway—why not just use the Snow Mountain Tunnel from the start?'

Lee recalled that during his time as Interior Minister, the department's annual budget was NT$170 billion. Preparing the budget took six months, and the final budget documents were so voluminous they could be stacked from floor to ceiling. He stressed, 'We internally debated the budget for half a year, then discussed it with the Executive Yuan and Legislative Yuan before the budget was finally approved.'

Lee questioned how the so-called 'Premier Ministry'—the Interior Ministry—managed to operate on NT$170 billion during his tenure, while the HSR extension to Yilan now requires NT$352.1 billion. 'How exactly was this figure calculated?'