YILAN (TVBS News) — People across Taiwan will embark on a four-day celebration of the Dragon Boat Festival from June 22 to 25, with many planning to travel around the island. In anticipation of potential transportation disruptions during the holiday, authorities have reminded road users to proactively check highway conditions through relevant mobile applications to preempt heavy congestion.
According to the Directorate General of Highways (DGH), an agency under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), traffic will likely peak at the Suhua Corridor, a major roadway connecting Yilan and Hualien, on the first day of the holiday, with an estimated passage of approximately 18,000 vehicles.
The DGH has projected that traffic congestion will likely ease by 2 p.m. that day. Additionally, authorities have predicted another potential traffic jam at the Taipingshan National Forest Recreation Area in Yilan, a popular tourist destination in Taiwan.
Over 1,030 vehicles are expected to travel in the Suhua Corridor leading to Yilan during peak hours. Passenger transport vehicles have been granted permission to utilize the shoulder lane at the Suhua Corridor during designated periods to alleviate potential traffic congestion.
Drivers should consider alternative routes to mitigate long waiting times amidst heavy traffic. One suggested alternative is utilizing the Zhongtou Highway instead of the West Coast Expressway in the central region, while the Coastal Highway or Provincial Highway 9 are recommended options for bypassing traffic at the Hsuehshan Tunnel when heading to Yilan.