TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Highway Bureau, MOTC (公路局), Taiwan's transportation ministry, reopened the Matianxi temporary culvert road Friday (Oct. 10) at 3 p.m., allowing vehicles under 5 tons to pass after flood damage severed a critical transportation link. The Sept. 23 flood destroyed the Matianxi Bridge on Provincial Highway 9 (台9省道), disrupting access to Guangfu Township (光復鄉) and forcing commuters to take lengthy detours for weeks.
Construction crews completed two 870-meter culvert roads across the riverbed ahead of the original Oct. 15 schedule, providing relief to stranded motorists. Local resident Chan (詹) celebrated the reopening with fireworks, expressing gratitude for workers' efforts while recalling daily commutes across the now-destroyed bridge. The expedited construction timeline demonstrates the critical importance of this transportation link for the isolated community.
The temporary road accommodates vehicles under 5 tons and emergency vehicles with a 30 kilometers per hour (18.6 mph) speed limit and separated lanes for north-south traffic. Construction of a temporary steel bridge will begin Oct. 15 as the project's second phase. Safety measures include water level gauges at the culvert and 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) upstream, plus CCTV cameras and monitoring staff providing 24-hour surveillance. ◼
