The North-South Freeway will link Keelung at Taiwan's north-central tip with Kaohsiung in the south by way of Taipei, Chungli, Hsinchu, Taichung, Chiayi and Tainan. It is due to be completed in 1978. The 235-mile (373.4 kilometer) freeway will also be connected by branch lines to Taichung Port and the international airports at Taoyuan and Kaohsiung . Driving time for the whole distance will be between four and five hours. Width of the freeway will vary from four to eight lanes, depending on local traffic conditions. Interchanges will number 37. There will be 10 toll stations. Freeway land occupies 7/10,000 of the total area of Taiwan. Construction work is divided into three sections and is under way simultaneously. The northern section extends from Keelung to Miaoli, the central section from Miaoli to Hsilo, and the southern section from Hsilo to Fengshan. All work is on or ahead of schedule. The freeway between Sanchung and Yangmei in the northern section is already opened to traffic.
The Construction of the North-South Freeway was necessitated by Taiwan's rapid population increase, industrial development and social prosperity since 1945. The annual increase of traffic on the highway is 12% for passengers and 16% for freight cargoes. Eighty per cent of Taiwan's highway traffic is concentrated on the long western plain. The existing west coast highway, which carries 80% of the north-south bound traffic, will not be able to meet the demands of future transportation and of balanced economic development. After careful studies, the government decided to build a North-South Freeway. Tangible economic benefits are estimated at NT$81,800 million by 1990. The rate of investment return is figured at 22.3 per cent annually. The freeway will relieve heavy traffic conditions and also expand domestic markets and increase economic activities.
The Tamshui River bridge under construction.
A portion of the freeway passing through hills.
Caisson installation for a bridge near Taichung.
A bird's-eye view of Neili interchange.
Map of the route line of the N-S Freeway.
Dump trucks lining up to haul embankment material.
A night view of Taishan toll plaza in operation.
Roadside sign and overpass of freeway.
The freeway, near Taipei city.
Taoyuan interchange, a partial clover-leaf type.
