TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Kinmen Bridge officially opened to traffic on Sunday (Oct. 30) after 30 years of planning, contractor problems, and construction delays. Former Taiwan president Ma Ying-jeou, who officiated at the groundbreaking ceremony in January 2011, and several local officials attended the opening ceremony of the longest sea bridge in Taiwan.
The 5.4-kilometer structure connects Kinmen Island with its smaller neighbor Lieyu Township. In the past, travel between the two islands relied mainly on boats and ferries. With just one ferry per hour, the inconvenient transportation was also at the mercy of weather conditions. Now, the two islands are connected by just a short 5 to 10-minute drive.
The long-awaited bridge faced technical challenges during construction, including making it sturdy enough to withstand strong north-eastern winds. The project cost nearly US$300 million (NT$9.66 billion) to complete in the span of three decades. Lieyu has a population of around 12,000 people. Yet, the township doesn't feature any 24-hour hospitals or clinics.
The Kinmen Bridge will provide an easier way for them to seek help in medical emergencies. Kinmen County magistrate Yang Chen-wu remarked that the bridge will "contribute to the overall development of Kinmen," beginning a new chapter for the island. The bridge will also help boost tourism in the area, and bring about positive changes to the smaller island.