Tainan Railway underground opens to traffic on October 18, 126-year-old historic station remains accessible

The first phase of Tainan Railway undergrounding was officially opened to traffic on October 18. Tainan Railway Station will also become the first station in Taiwan where old and new stations coexist. The 126-year-old national monument old station is not only preserved, but future passengers will still be able to enter and exit from the century-old station. Before the connection is complete, there is still a "small project" coordinated "silently" by Mayor Huang Weizhe.

Originally planned by the Railway Bureau of the Ministry of Transport, due to the subsequent connection construction of the historic old station (front station), it will be closed into a work area. After it is opened to traffic, passengers can only enter the underground platform from the rear station. Huang Weizhe said that after seeking coordination, it was decided to wait until the last train left on the evening of October 17 to immediately lay a temporary plank road overnight to reduce the scope of the work area and allow the front station to still retain access to the boarding line.

"Taiwan Railway can lay the plank road only after the train has left, and it must be paved as soon as possible overnight." Huang Weizhe said, thanking the Railway Bureau for its full cooperation, so that after it opens to traffic on October 18, people can still enter the underground station from the front station. Otherwise, the front station will be closed, and they can only go around to the back station to catch the train. If President Lai Ching-te presides over the opening ceremony, the small square at the rear station can be reserved for public participation.

Huang Weizhe was laughed at by his sister Huang Zhixian for "doing things silently without saying anything." This time the Southern Railway was opened underground, Huang Weizhe tried to prevent the front station from being completely closed, which was also a matter of "silently doing it".

Huang Weizhe said that Tainan Railway Station has a history of 126 years. The old station will maintain its original appearance as a historical monument and continue to serve as the entrance to the new station. "This is a living monument and the best example to witness the century-old history of Taiwan Railway."

As trains go underground, the train scenery along the level crossings, land bridges and underground tunnels will also go into history. The Transportation Bureau has compiled 16 "last shot" scenic spots, including Longbao Road level crossing, Chunghwa East Road land bridge, Changshou Road, Honor Street level crossing, Datong and Fulian underpasses, Guanghua Street culvert, Dongmen Land Bridge, Qingnian Road level crossing, Tainan Railway Station, as well as Xiaodong Road, Dongfeng Road underpass, Changrong Road steel bridge, Shijian Street level crossing, etc. The public is invited to seize the last moments before undergrounding and leave behind the century-old scenery of Tainan Railway.