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🇹🇼 Taiwan /Energy & Infrastructure

Accident hotspot on Yilan's Jiaoxi Provincial Highway 9 to be improved with added left-turn lane at Heping Road intersection

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A busy intersection on Taiwan's Provincial Highway 9 in Jiaoxi, Yilan, has seen 14 accidents in three years, with 70% resulting in injuries.
  • Local officials and residents have advocated for improvements, leading to a decision to add a dedicated left-turn lane for vehicles.
  • The project is expected to be completed by July next year, with interim traffic signal adjustments to improve safety.

A notorious accident hotspot on Provincial Highway 9 in Jiaoxi, Yilan County, is set to receive safety upgrades, including the addition of a dedicated left-turn lane. The intersection of Fuxing Road and Heping Road has been the site of 14 traffic accidents over the past three years, with a concerning 70% of these incidents causing injuries.

Following repeated calls from local representatives and residents, county councilor Lin Tsung-chi convened a meeting with officials from the Directorate General of Highways' Eastern Region Maintenance Office and the Yilan County Government. The assessment concluded that the intersection's complex traffic flow and high volume of vehicles contributed to its dangerous reputation.

The intersection has seen severe accidents, including fatalities, and we hope the government will take notice and invest in improvements.

— Lu Chien-chiLocal business owner describing the frequent and serious accidents at the intersection.

Local business owner Lu Chien-chi shared his concerns, noting that the intersection has seen severe accidents, including fatalities. He urged authorities to address the issue promptly. Village chief Chang Chieh-shou of Dazhong Village pointed to the recent success of a similar left-turn lane installation at the nearby Dazhong Road intersection, which significantly reduced accidents, and expressed hope for comparable improvements at the Heping Road intersection.

The planned improvements will be implemented in two phases. The Jiaoxi Township Office is scheduled to begin sidewalk construction in April next year, with the highway bureau to follow with the installation of the dedicated left-turn lane and road marking revisions. This combined effort is anticipated to be completed by July of the following year. In the interim, the County Government's Transportation Department will adjust traffic signal timings to prioritize northbound traffic and provide a safer buffer for motorists.

The nearby Dazhong Road intersection's left-turn lane significantly reduced the accident rate, and we hope the Heping Road intersection can be handled similarly to ensure road user safety.

— Chang Chieh-shouVillage chief advocating for the left-turn lane based on successful precedent.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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