Taichung Metro Blue Line Moves Forward With NT$13.9 Billion Underground Construction Tender

Taichung’s Metro Blue Line has reached another construction milestone with the opening of bidding for its first underground civil works contract.

The city’s Metro Bureau announced the tender for the BC21 civil works and facilities electromechanical engineering package, which carries a budget of more than NT$13.9 billion. The bureau said all above-ground sections have already completed their tendering process.

The contract covers about 2.01 kilometers. It begins north of the elevated BC12 section’s bridge abutment at the intersection of Taiwan Boulevard Section 6 and Xitun Road, where the route gradually descends underground. The main line continues along Taiwan Boulevard to near the intersection of Taiwan Boulevard Section 5 and Youyuan North Road, west of B09 station. A branch along Xitun Road will provide access to the Longjing depot.

The tender follows the start of work on the electrical and mechanical systems and Longjing depot, as well as the award of contracts for the elevated BC11 and BC12 sections. The bureau said the new tender moves the underground civil works into a new phase.

Bureau Director Su Rui-wen said the completed line will link the harbor area, Shalu, the Seventh Redevelopment Zone, central Taichung and Taichung Station. It is also expected to form a cross-shaped two-axis network with the Green Line and improve public transport capacity and commuting efficiency. Tender documents are available through the government’s electronic procurement system, and bids will be accepted until Oct. 12.