Tainan's 'roller coaster' flyover to be dismantled over 300 days

Tainan's Changrong Road is set to bid farewell to its temporary steel flyover, a structure once humorously dubbed a "roller coaster" for its dramatic elevation changes. The flyover, erected in 2019 to maintain traffic flow after the Changrong Road underpass was closed for the Tainan railway undergrounding project, is scheduled for demolition starting at the end of the year. However, the dismantling process is expected to take more than 300 days, sparking local discussion and amusement about the extended timeline.

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The demolition project is not simply about removing a bridge; it is a complex engineering project related to public safety and disaster prevention.

Officials from the Railway Bureau's Southern Region Engineering Branch explained that the demolition is far from a simple task. It involves complex, multi-faceted engineering work crucial for both public safety and disaster prevention. A primary challenge is the intricate relocation of vital utility lines, including those for electricity, water, natural gas, and telecommunications, which serve the surrounding residential areas. To prevent disruptions, a "build-then-demolish" approach is being employed, ensuring new lines are established before the old ones are removed.

Furthermore, the project includes upgrading the drainage system within the railway area to address long-standing waterlogging issues in the Shijian Street vicinity. This enhancement aims to improve the region's capacity to handle heavy rainfall. Only after these utility and drainage improvements are complete can the roadbed be reconstructed, repaved, and new traffic lines be painted.

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The bridge below is buried with many important main pipelines for electricity, water, natural gas, and telecommunications, which are related to the daily life of surrounding residents.

Recognizing the potential traffic impact, the bureau is collaborating closely with the Tainan City Transportation Bureau to explore flexible traffic management strategies. Options include prioritizing the opening of side lanes at ground level or implementing a phased construction approach allowing for partial, single-direction traffic flow. These measures aim to minimize inconvenience to local commuters during the extended construction period.

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We are actively coordinating with the Tainan City Transportation Bureau to evaluate flexible traffic maintenance plans, such as prioritizing the opening of side lanes at ground level or implementing phased construction with single-direction traffic.