Typhoon season preparedness: Tainan reinforces landslide-hit highway section

Authorities in Tainan have reinforced a section of Provincial Highway 182 in Longci District and covered it with tarpaulin to mitigate further damage from potential heavy rainfall during the ongoing typhoon season.

The highway's foundation at kilometer 20.3 experienced severe scouring and collapse into a valley due to torrential rains in late June. These rains were attributed to the outer bands of Typhoon Mikala combined with a stationary front. The incident caused the collapse of two westbound lanes, creating a significant hazard.

“

Emergency reinforcement work has been completed. We will go to the site for an inspection to see if further strengthening is needed.

In response, the Public Works Bureau initiated emergency repairs to prevent further loss of the road base and maintain single-lane, two-way traffic to avoid a complete road closure. Emergency contractors installed steel sheet piles to halt the erosion, followed by grouting and securing the area. Sandbags were also used to temporarily stabilize the collapsed section.

Lin Hsu-wen, head of the Third Works Brigade, confirmed the completion of emergency reinforcement work and plans for an on-site inspection to assess the need for further strengthening. He urged drivers to exercise caution when using the affected road segment due to the risk of further damage from heavy rains. The collapsed section spans approximately 20 meters, and a consulting firm is designing the reconstruction project, with an estimated budget of over 50 million New Taiwan dollars, for which the city government will actively seek funding.

“

As it is still typhoon season, heavy rainfall could cause further disaster. We urge the public to drive carefully and pay attention to safety when passing through this section.