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Xizhi Costco Left Turn Ban Eased to Weekend Hours After Public Backlash

From Liberty Times · (18m ago) Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • New Taipei City's Xizhi district has modified a traffic restriction at the Dazhi Road and Xintai 5th Road intersection.
  • Previously, left turns to Costco were banned all day, but this caused public backlash from commuters.
  • The restriction is now limited to weekends from 12 PM to 8 PM, with improved signage and plans for an entrance lane to reduce main road congestion.

The Xizhi district's traffic management has seen a welcome adjustment, demonstrating responsiveness to public concerns. The initial blanket ban on left turns to Costco at the Dazhi Road and Xintai 5th Road intersection, implemented on March 27, understandably caused frustration among daily commuters. While the intention to alleviate congestion was clear, the all-day restriction overlooked the needs of those simply passing through.

Fortunately, local representative Chang Chin-hao championed the cause, highlighting that the primary congestion occurred during weekend afternoons. This led to a sensible revision: a "weekend time-limited control" now restricts left turns only between 12 PM and 8 PM on Saturdays and Sundays. This pragmatic approach balances the needs of shoppers with the daily flow of traffic, a solution that resonates with the local community's desire for efficient and considerate urban planning.

Furthermore, the authorities are enhancing signage visibility and considering the construction of a dedicated entrance lane for Costco. These measures underscore a commitment to improving traffic flow and overall road quality in Xizhi. From a local perspective, this isn't just about traffic lights and turn signals; it's about ensuring that essential infrastructure serves the community effectively without unduly burdening residents. The swift response to public feedback is a positive sign for local governance.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.