Rust forces closure of iconic Cat Bridge in New Taipei

NEW TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The New Taipei City government announced that the Cat Bridge in Ruifang District, New Taipei, will close for repairs starting Tuesday due to structural rust. The bridge, a vital link between the Houtong train station and the Cat Village, is expected to reopen at the end of October.

Since its inauguration in 2013, the Cat Bridge has become an essential pathway for locals and tourists. It features cat footprints, illustrations, and platforms designed for cats to pass and jump, incorporating local coal mining and tunnel imagery based on residents' suggestions. However, after a decade, parts of the bridge have succumbed to rust.

Bridge Repairs and Impact

Director Yang Tsung-min of the New Taipei Tourism and Travel Department stated that the bridge's exposure to humid weather has led to rust and damage. The repair work will include structural reinforcement and the replacement of steel beams, improvement of the lighting, and repairment of the cat jumping platforms.

Due to the bridge's location above the railway tracks, the construction work is subject to strict safety standards, limiting work to four hours each night.

To ensure that residents and visitors can still cross, the New Taipei Tourism and Travel Department has set up a temporary bridge next to the Cat Bridge. This measure will maintain access to the area during the repair period, highlighting the city's commitment to preserving this unique cultural and community asset.