Taipei Nangang Shengji Tunnel opens to traffic, shortening commute time from Nangang to Xizhi

Taipei Nangang Shengji Tunnel opens to traffic, shortening commute time from Nangang to Xizhi

The Ministry of Interior issued a press release yesterday stating that the Shengji Tunnel connecting Section 7 of Zhongxiao East Road and the entrance road to the National Biotechnology Park was officially opened to traffic yesterday, which has significantly shortened travel time and is expected to alleviate traffic congestion between Section 7 of Zhongxiao East Road and Xuexue Road during peak hours.

Wu Tang'an, Deputy Minister of the Interior, said in a statement that the tunnel is expected to alleviate traffic congestion on Section 7 of Zhongxiao East Road and Xuexue Road during peak hours, while also shortening travel time between Nangang and Xizhi District, New Taipei City. He pointed out that the development of the National Biotechnology Park has driven business and employment growth in the Nangang area, thereby increasing the region's demand for transportation infrastructure, including the construction of the Shengji Tunnel, which was subsidized by the central government and cost NT$1.878 billion (approximately US$59.07 million).

Wu Tang'an further explained that the new road removes the traffic bottleneck between Section 7 of Zhongxiao East Road and Section 130 of Xuexue Road, and connects the National Biotechnology Park to the Taiwan Railways, Taipei MRT Nangang Station and surrounding residential areas. In addition to shortening travel time for local residents and commuters, the tunnel also provides an alternative road in the event that Academic Road is closed due to flooding or other emergencies, and is planned with separate pedestrian and bicycle lanes.

The National Biotechnology Park covers an area of ​​14.19 hectares and houses multiple institutions, including the Center for Medical Translational Research of Academia Sinica and the Food and Drug Administration. Academia Sinica pointed out in a statement that the total length of the tunnel is approximately 824 meters, of which the tunnel section is approximately 716 meters.

After attending the opening ceremony, Chen Jianren, President of Academia Sinica, said that the tunnel will not only ease traffic around the park, but also further support the development of the Nangang Biomedical Research and Biotechnology Corridor. Academia Sinica also pointed out that currently more than 2,600 researchers and other professionals are stationed in the park, which was officially opened in October 2018.

According to Academia Sinica, the new tunnel provides a more convenient route between the National Biotechnology Park and the surrounding areas of Nangang Station, shortening the commute time during peak hours from about 15 to 20 minutes to less than 10 minutes.