Taipei's Sanxing Overpass to be Demolished Late October

Taipei's Sanxing pedestrian overpass, a structure that has spanned Keelung Road and Guangfu South Road for over four decades, is scheduled for demolition from October 27 to 30. The Taipei City Department of Public Works announced that the demolition will take place during late-night and early-morning hours to avoid impacting the city's heavy traffic flow. Residents are advised to be aware of the closure and seek alternative routes.

The overpass connects three villages across the Xinyi and Daan districts and is situated near a night market and schools. Despite its age and the city's ongoing efforts to modernize its infrastructure, its removal was previously debated. In 2014, a survival assessment led to its preservation following a petition from students and parents citing a need for pedestrian access. The city government subsequently invested in renovations, with city councilor Chien Shu-pei noting four separate repair projects costing NT$8.78 million since 2015. However, issues like crumbling concrete and cracks reportedly appeared within months of these repairs.

Following the demolition of the Heping-Xinsheng overpass, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has approved the removal of three more pedestrian bridges near elementary schools: Sanxing, Xingya, and Mingchuan. The Department of Public Works stated that these overpasses, all over 40 years old, have corresponding ground-level traffic solutions. While Xingya and Sanxing overpasses have garnered consensus for removal, with Xingya already demolished in March, Mingchuan overpass, which crosses Roosevelt Road, still faces local disagreements regarding its demolition.

The Sanxing overpass's removal is part of a broader urban renewal initiative aimed at improving Taipei's cityscape and traffic flow. The city has committed to holding local community meetings to gather public opinion before proceeding with such projects, ensuring that residents' concerns are addressed as the city continues to evolve.