TAIPEI, Taiwan, May 12: Taiwan officially opened the Danjiang Bridge to traffic on Tuesday after an inauguration ceremony held over the weekend, marking the completion of a major infrastructure project nearly three decades after it was first proposed.
According to Focus Taiwan, the bridge links the Tamsui and Bali districts across the mouth of the Tamsui River in northern Taiwan and is expected to significantly improve transportation connectivity in the region.
Speaking during Saturday’s inauguration ceremony, Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te described the bridge as a symbol of Taiwan’s engineering capability and international recognition.
“This bridge is Taiwan’s pride. It will become a landmark for Taiwan and another calling card for the country on the international stage,” Lai said, according to Focus Taiwan.
“I also hope people across the country can, through the construction of the Danjiang Bridge, feel the respect Taiwan has earned internationally. If we stand united and work together, Taiwan will certainly become even better,” he added.
Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai, Transportation Minister Chen Shih-kai, and New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih also attended the ceremony.
Lai praised the engineers and construction teams involved in the project, particularly Kung Sing Engineering Corp., for overcoming significant technical and environmental challenges during construction.
Officials said the bridge has been designed to accommodate multiple forms of transportation, including pedestrians, bicycles, scooters, buses, cars, and light rail transit, making it one of Taiwan’s most versatile transport projects.
Designed by the late Pritzker Prize-winning architect Zaha Hadid, the structure features a distinctive curved single mast inspired by the movements of performers from the Cloud Gate Dance Theatre. The bridge spans nearly one kilometre across the river estuary.
Authorities expect the bridge to ease traffic congestion around the Guandu Bridge and improve access between New Taipei City and Taoyuan International Airport.
Once fully operational, the bridge is projected to shorten the travel distance between Tamsui and Bali by approximately 15 kilometres, reduce commute times by nearly 25 minutes, and lower traffic volume on existing routes by around 30 percent, according to Focus Taiwan.
The Danjiang Bridge project was first proposed in 1998 but encountered repeated delays caused by environmental reviews, design modifications, and engineering complications.
Construction eventually began in 2019 after several failed tender attempts. Engineers later overcame major technical difficulties, including underwater leakage and strong winds near the river estuary. (ANI)
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