TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Central Cross-Island Highway (中橫便道谷關至德基路段) has suffered significant damage due to continuous heavy rainfall brought by the recent plum rain front, with multiple landslides and rockfalls detected on Monday (June 3).
The 19.8K section of the highway, previously damaged by a large boulder during an earthquake on April 3, has again been compromised, with restoration work hampered by ongoing rain and falling rocks. The Highway Bureau (公路局) has announced that the road is expected to reopen on Friday (June 7).
The Highway Bureau has deployed heavy machinery to repair the collapsed 19.8K section. However, the repair efforts are being challenged by continuous rainfall and the intermittent downpour in the mountainous area, causing further landslides and posing dangers to the workers on site.
The bureau has reiterated the risks of landslides and rockfalls in mountainous areas, especially after earthquakes and during the rainy season, urging the public to avoid unnecessary travel on these roads.
To ensure the safety of road users, the Highway Bureau encourages the public to utilize its Provincial Highway real-time traffic information network (https://168.thb.gov.tw) and to listen to police broadcast traffic updates.
These platforms provide the latest traffic control and disaster prevention information. The bureau also advises drivers to pay attention to Changeable Message Signs (CMS) for up-to-date traffic and safety alerts, emphasizing the importance of staying informed during this unstable period.
The Highway Bureau's efforts to restore the damaged sections of the Central Cross-Island Highway highlight the challenges of maintaining infrastructure in the face of natural disasters.
As the bureau works to reopen the road by Friday, it remains crucial for the public to heed warnings and stay informed on road conditions to ensure their safety.
