Beitou Quanyuan Road blocked by falling boulder; Mayor Chiang Wan-an inspects, calls it dangerous and hesitant to reopen

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has deemed a landslide site on Quanyuan Road in Beitou District too dangerous to reopen to traffic without further assessment, following the fall of a massive boulder that has blocked the thoroughfare.

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We still dare not rashly promise when it can be completed, because there are still risks, and we also need to consider whether it will rain again.

Inspecting the site on Sunday, Chiang noted that while the rain had temporarily subsided, allowing for evaluations and initial work to break down smaller rocks and stabilize the slope, a definitive reopening date remains uncertain. "We still dare not rashly promise when it can be completed," Chiang stated, emphasizing the persistent risks and the need to consider the possibility of future rainfall.

The mayor highlighted that several large and small rocks are precariously lodged together, creating a highly dangerous situation after days of continuous heavy rain. Professional engineers and city officials are conducting a comprehensive assessment to determine how to best stabilize the slope and ensure safety before traffic can resume. The immediate priority is to clear smaller debris and make the area safe.

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The safety of the public is the top priority, and we will speed up the repair period.

Chiang acknowledged the local community's need for the road to reopen and assured residents that alternative routes and shuttle services are being arranged through the Public Transportation Office in coordination with local community leaders. However, he reiterated that safety remains paramount. The repair timeline depends on the successful completion of slope stabilization and debris removal by the professional team, which could still take some time. Chiang stressed that the road will only reopen after a thorough professional evaluation confirms it is safe, preventing any potential tragedies.

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We will definitely proceed after professional evaluation, which is currently underway. If slope stabilization and rock fragmentation and removal can be completed quickly, it will still take some time. We will only open it to traffic after ensuring safety and professional team assessment.