National Freeway 3 West-Lin Interchange to Trial Ban on Left Turns to Curb 'Deadly Backups'

To combat severe traffic congestion and prevent accidents at the Guoshan 3 West-Lin 3 Interchange on National Freeway 3 in Taiwan, authorities will implement a trial restriction prohibiting cars from making a left turn onto Longjiang Street from Xibin Road. This measure is set to begin on August 31st.

The interchange's southbound exit has been a site of significant traffic backup during peak hours, leading to dangerous conditions and a severe rear-end collision in October 2024 that resulted in casualties. The new restriction aims to mitigate the risk of highway backups and improve safety for motorists.

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To prevent the risk of highway backup, the county government will pilot a ban on cars turning left onto Longjiang Street from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on weekdays starting August 31.

During the trial period, which will occur on weekday evenings from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., drivers will be directed to follow temporary traffic signs and signals. Alternative routes are being suggested, including continuing along the West-Lin Coastal Highway to intersections like Bo'ai Street for left turns or U-turns into Zhunan Township. Vehicles can also turn right towards Longfeng Fishing Port and then use surrounding roads to access the township.

Local authorities will deploy police officers to assist with traffic command and guidance during the initial phase of the trial. They will also collect data on traffic flow, travel times, and public feedback to evaluate the effectiveness of the restriction. This information will be crucial in deciding whether to make the ban permanent. He Xiou-mian, a local representative who will run for Zhunan Township mayor, noted that ongoing elevated road construction in the area, expected to last five to six years, could worsen congestion without timely interventions.

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If timely measures are not taken, the congestion during the construction dark period may become even more severe.