Taiwan Freeways See 2.2x Traffic Volume on Holiday Start; Congestion Expected

Taiwan's freeways experienced exceptionally heavy traffic on the first day of the Dragon Boat Festival holiday, with early morning volumes reaching 2.2 times the average for that time on a typical day. The National Freeway Bureau reported that between midnight and 5 a.m., traffic volume was significantly elevated, signaling a challenging start to the holiday travel period.

To mitigate congestion, authorities are advising travelers on key routes. Drivers heading south on the western freeways are encouraged to delay their departures until after noon. For those planning to use Freeway 5 southbound, the recommendation is to set off after 5 p.m. This advice aims to spread out traffic flow and reduce bottlenecks.

Currently, specific sections like Freeway 1 southbound between Hukou and Zhubei, and Freeway 3 southbound between Sanying and Longtan, are experiencing the most severe delays. The Freeway Bureau has implemented various traffic control measures, including temporary ramp closures, discounted tolls on certain sections, and the opening of emergency lanes. A joint traffic management center has also been established with the Directorate General of Highways to monitor and coordinate responses across the freeway and provincial highway networks.