Taiwan highway bridge reopens early as landslide lake overflow delayed

Authorities in Taiwan have reopened Provincial Highway No. 9 (T9) at the Wanli Creek bridge earlier than planned, allowing traffic to resume at 6 a.m. today. The decision came after the anticipated overflow of a barrier lake, formed by a landslide, was postponed until later this afternoon.

The bridge had been under a red alert and fully closed since 10 p.m. last night due to the unstable barrier lake. Initially, the plan was to reopen the inner lane for traffic at 8 a.m. today. However, based on updated assessments from the Central Emergency Operation Center and the Forestry Bureau, the overflow is now projected for around 5 p.m.

To facilitate morning commutes, the decision was made to open the inner lane for general vehicles at 6 a.m. The outer lanes remain closed. Highway authorities stressed that the bridge will be immediately shut down again if the barrier lake begins to overflow or its water level reaches a critical point.

Road users planning long-distance travel between Hualien and Taitung are advised to use the alternative route along Provincial Highway No. 11 or County Road 193, as previously planned during the red alert period. The highway bureau is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with disaster response agencies to ensure public safety.