NEW TAIPEI (TVBS News) — New Taipei's Department of Rapid Transit Systems (新北市政府捷運工程局) announced Tuesday (Nov. 19) that the Banqiao-Zhonghe (板橋中和) segment of the Circular Line (捷運環狀線) will resume operations by the end of the year.
The April 3 earthquake had displaced nine steel box girders and damaged 139 facilities, prompting month-long repairs. Li Zheng-an (李政安), director of the Department of Rapid Transit Systems, confirmed the imminent repositioning of the girders and the restoration of tracks, power, communication, and signaling systems.
Initial assessments suggested major structural damage could extend repairs by 14 months, but inspections revealed the beams remained intact, allowing for a swifter recovery. New Taipei Mayor Hou Yu-ih (侯友宜) pushed for accelerated repairs, reducing the timeline to six months. Completion is expected by year-end.
The mayor also inquired about the progress of integrated testing along the route. Regarding the earthquake's damage and accountability, Hou stated that the assessment report will be released in the first quarter of next year, and the city will seek compensation as per legal provisions.
Councilor Chang Chia-ling (張嘉玲) expressed concern over the delayed review of the disaster analysis report, which has been submitted for examination to both New Taipei and Taipei's Department of Rapid Transit Systems. The department responded that incomplete attachments have hindered the report's publication.