Taiwan Candidate Proposes 'Golden Decade' for Yilan with Transport and Industry Upgrades

Lin Kuo-chang, a candidate for Yilan County Magistrate, has unveiled an ambitious vision for the region's future, dubbed the "Golden Decade." This comprehensive plan integrates transportation upgrades with industrial development, aiming to transform Yilan into a more connected and economically vibrant area.

The cornerstone of the proposal is the extension of the high-speed rail into Yilan. Lin stressed the importance of rigorous environmental impact assessments to minimize disruption, while also planning for dedicated industrial zones within special districts. He aims to attract research institutions, such as Academia Sinica, to foster local industrial growth and leverage the major transportation infrastructure for more than just transit.

Further transportation enhancements include extending the Provincial Highway 62 to Toucheng and Jiaoxi, and developing the Suhua Expressway. These projects are intended to alleviate traffic congestion on National Freeway 5, which currently restricts large trucks, and to improve logistics for businesses. The Suhua Expressway, in particular, is envisioned as a safe corridor for eastern Taiwan, boosting tourism in the Yihua-Taitung region.

Lin's plan also details an improved local road network, comprising north-south routes like Freeway 5's side lanes, Provincial Highways 9 and 2, and Provincial Highway 2 Geng Extension. East-west connections will be strengthened through various local roads and bypasses, aiming to ease urban traffic. A crucial element is the integration of a seamless public transportation system, featuring five major transfer hubs in Wushigang, Jiaoxi, Yilan, Luodong, and Suao. This system will incorporate shared bicycles, mini-buses, and flexible bus services to create a smooth transit environment, supporting the development of both northern and southern Yilan.

“

Facing the critical period of Yilan's transportation transformation, we must be well-prepared.