New Taipei City Opens Floodgate Areas for Parking Amid Typhoon Bailong Threat

New Taipei City is temporarily allowing parking on red and yellow line streets surrounding its floodgates as Typhoon Bailong approaches. The measure aims to accommodate vehicles as the city's high-滩地 (gaotan di) parking lots will restrict entry from noon onwards. This decision comes as the typhoon is expected to bring significant wind and rain from noon today until tomorrow.

The city's Department of Transportation announced that parking will be permitted on specific roads around the floodgates, excluding roads within the high-滩地 park and the floodgate access tunnels. Some roadside parking spaces in these areas will also have their fees temporarily suspended. The department will issue further notices regarding the resumption of normal traffic control for red and yellow lines.

Drivers parking in these designated areas are advised to leave their contact information for potential communication. Parallel parking is prohibited, and vehicles must not obstruct the passage of rescue vehicles to ensure public safety. Specific restrictions remain in place, prohibiting parking within 10 meters of intersections, bus stops, and fire hydrants, as well as in fire lanes, floodgate access tunnels, under bridges, on sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, and other areas that impede traffic.

Authorities are urging drivers to exercise caution, especially in areas near the Yonghe District's Huanhe East and West Roads, where pedestrians should walk along the embankment and only cross at designated crosswalks. Drivers are reminded to slow down and be mindful of pedestrian safety. The affected areas include sections along the Xindian, Dahan, and Tamsui rivers.