TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Northern Region Branch Office of the Highway Bureau (公路局北區養護工程分局) on Tuesday (Jan. 7) announced that four waves of traffic are expected in northern Taiwan during the Lunar New Year holiday. The southbound traffic surge will begin on Jan. 24 at 5 p.m. and continue until the morning of Jan. 28, coinciding with the eve of the Lunar New Year.
The nine-day holiday, starting three days earlier this year, aims to ease the homebound traffic. However, officials anticipate congestion on national highways during peak hours. They suggest using Provincial Highway No. 61 (台61線) as an alternative when National Freeways 1 and 3 become crowded.
On Jan. 29, the first day of the Lunar New Year, traffic is expected throughout the day around temples, short-distance travel destinations, and scenic areas. The third wave of traffic is projected from Jan. 30 to Jan. 31, with mid-to-long-distance travelers crowding provincial highways and expressways, especially at tourist hotspots.
The fourth wave will start on Jan. 31 at 1 p.m. and last until Feb. 2. It will affect the northbound Xiangshan (香山) section of Provincial Highway No. 61 and major roads connecting to national highways. During this period, authorities will close the northbound ramp connecting Provincial Highway No. 61 to the West Coast Interchange from noon to midnight.
