TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) on Tuesday (Nov. 5) defended the city's decision to dismantle the Xinsheng-Heping overpass bridge (新生和平天橋), citing traffic and public safety concerns.
Emphasizing that the bridge is used by fewer than one on 10 pedestrians, Mayor Chiang prompted the city to act decisively and assured residents that the decision was not made lightly. The planned demolition, originally set to begin a day earlier, faced delays due to public protests.
During a city council meeting, Chiang encouraged departments to stay committed to the right course of action. "Think it through and be bold in doing what needs to be done," he told colleagues, pledging his support for their decisions.
Taipei's Department of Transportation (台北市交通局) Director Hsieh Ming-hung (謝銘鴻) highlighted the outdated nature of pedestrian overpasses, calling them relics of a car-centric era that pose modern traffic risks.
The city's Public Works Department (工務局) Commissioner Huang I-ping (黃一平) confirmed the overpass's closure and stressed ongoing communication with local communities. The city plans to involve the Department of Cultural Affairs (文化局) to preserve the bridge's legacy through photos, videos, or other means, fostering a shared understanding of the need for its removal.
