Orchid Island Kaiyuan Port Upgrade Begins, New Terminal and Road Project Breaks Ground

Orchid Island's Kaiyuan Port, a vital hub for residents and tourists, is undergoing a significant upgrade aimed at resolving long-standing issues of congestion and safety. The Taitung County government officially broke ground on the "Orchid Island Kaiyuan Port Waiting Hall and Access Road Construction Project," a NT$260 million initiative designed to create a more orderly and secure environment for ferry passengers and cargo.

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Kaiyuan Port is an important transportation gateway for residents' daily supplies, medical care, and education, as well as for tourism. It also shoulders the important task of residents returning home, transporting daily necessities, and the travel of tourists.

The existing port, in operation for nearly 60 years, has struggled with limited space, forcing ferries, cargo vehicles, and fishing boats to share the same areas. This often leads to chaotic scenes, particularly during peak tourist seasons, impacting both the port's orderliness and the quality of travel services. Recognizing the challenges of large-scale port development, the county has opted for a phased approach, prioritizing immediate improvements to the waiting area and access.

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The waiting hall is old and simple, and the limited space of the dock area has always caused ferries, cargo vehicles, and fishing operations to share the port area. In peak tourist seasons, it is easy to have people and vehicles intertwined, passengers and cargo mixed, and traffic congestion.

The project will introduce a new 600-ping waiting hall equipped with ticketing counters and accessible restrooms. Additionally, a new access road will be constructed, and existing covered walkways will be repaired or built. These enhancements are intended to separate pedestrian and vehicle traffic, creating a smoother and safer boarding experience. The county government anticipates the project's completion by March 2028, which is expected to significantly boost the safety and quality of inter-island transportation and enhance Orchid Island's appeal as a tourist destination.

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The project will comprehensively reorganize the port's traffic flow, creating a boarding environment where people and vehicles are separated and passengers and cargo are orderly, improving island transportation safety and travel service quality.