Upgrading the marked linear sidewalks on Niaosong Binshan Street and Park Road in Kaohsiung to physical sidewalks is more than half way through and is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

The existing marked sidewalks on Niaosong Binshan Street and Park Road in Kaohsiung will be upgraded to physical sidewalks. The current progress is about 50% and is expected to be completed by the end of this year. (Provided by the Works Bureau)

The Kaohsiung City Government has sought subsidies from the Department of Land and Resources' "Sustainable Improvement of Pedestrian Safety Project" to renovate the existing marked sidewalks on Binshan Street and Gongyuan Road in Niaosong District, including the installation of physical sidewalks with a total length of about 335 meters and the renovation of paved roads. The project progress has reached 50% and is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Walking to school and medical treatment will be safer.

The Public Works Bureau explained that Binshan Street and Park Road intersection are the intersection points of the entrance and exit routes of the University of Science and Technology of China, Wenshan High School and Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. They gather the traffic flow of students, patients, visitors and residents of the surrounding communities, and there is a high demand for pedestrian traffic.

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Binshan Street, as the section from Niaosong to Fengshan Wenshan Special Economic Zone and Qingnian Road business district, has a very frequent traffic flow. The existing marked sidewalks are prone to lack of physical separation, which often leads to illegal parking and occupation on the roadside, and pedestrians and vehicles competing for the lane, causing safety concerns.

The Road Works Department stated that in order to protect pedestrians' right of way, the engineering team conducted multiple consultations and listened to suggestions from local authorities, district chiefs, and school authorities. They overcame the existing planned road width restrictions and planned to add physical sidewalks to distinguish pedestrian and vehicle traffic ranges and ensure that the clear width of the sidewalks was more than 1.5 meters. This greatly improved the continuity of pedestrian movement lines and established a people-centered road environment.

The physical sidewalks are made of flat, durable, and beautiful concrete, and the slopes of intersections and entrance and exit ramps are fully adjusted. Existing facilities along the route, such as street lights, signs, and electrical boxes, are extrapolated and integrated, and planting belts are also introduced to protect the design, creating a safe and friendly trail.

The Road Works Department added that in order to reduce the impact on regional traffic, the project will be gradually advanced in a section-by-section manner and is expected to be completed before the end of this year. During this period, the public is asked to pay more attention to relevant warning signs and traffic guidance and slow down when passing through the construction section. We apologize for the inconvenience caused.

The existing marked sidewalks on Niaosong Binshan Street and Park Road in Kaohsiung will be upgraded to physical sidewalks. The current progress is about 50% and is expected to be completed by the end of this year. (Provided by the Works Bureau)