Nighttime construction sparks resident anger over noise, shoddy work in Hsinchu

Construction work on a pathway to Xiangshan Elementary School in Hsinchu City has sparked public anger due to disruptive nighttime noise and perceived shoddy workmanship. Residents living near the school have complained on social media about being unable to sleep due to the constant noise from heavy machinery operating between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. They criticized the city government for poor public project management, questioning the necessity of nighttime construction and the lack of soundproofing measures.

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The construction quality of the city government's public projects is extremely poor, deliberately using heavy machinery at night without noise reduction facilities, making citizens suffer.

Further complaints arose regarding another public project at Central Park, where inadequate safety measures were highlighted. Instead of proper fencing, only traffic cones were used to cordon off the construction area. Concerns were raised about the proximity of the construction site to children's play areas, with a risk of youngsters wandering into the work zone. This has led to accusations that the city prioritizes completing projects over ensuring quality and safety.

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The construction noise will be significantly reduced in the future, and we will ask the contractor to take necessary noise reduction measures.

The city's Public Works Department acknowledged the noise disruption during the Xiangshan Elementary School project, explaining that nighttime work was chosen to minimize impact on daytime traffic and student access. They apologized for the inconvenience and pledged to implement noise reduction measures. Regarding the Central Park site, the Department of Urban Development stated that while initial safety measures were in place, some fencing had been moved or removed. They have instructed the contractor to reinforce the barriers and add signage to warn the public and prevent entry into the construction zone.

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We have asked the contractor to re-strengthen the enclosure and add signs such as 'Detour during construction' to remind the public not to enter the construction area to ensure safety.