TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan expects to complete a temporary steel bridge at Hualien County's Matai'an Creek (馬太鞍溪), a major river in eastern Taiwan, by Jan. 1, 2026, two and a half months ahead of the original schedule. Transportation Minister Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) announced Monday (Dec. 22) the accelerated timeline following September's catastrophic debris flow that destroyed the Matai'an Creek Bridge (馬太鞍溪橋) along Taiwan's Route 9, a major highway.
Minister Chen credited President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰), head of the Executive Yuan (行政院), Taiwan's cabinet, for directives to accelerate the project's timeline. The project involved round-the-clock work shifts to overcome challenges, including another overflow from the landslide dam, a natural barrier formed by debris. Chen announced the completion timeline in Hualien's Guangfu Township (光復鄉), a rural area in eastern Taiwan.
Lin Wen-hsiung (林文雄), a director at the Highway Bureau (公路局), Taiwan's road infrastructure agency, noted the original four-month schedule has been significantly shortened. The team employed techniques like spiral drilling and water jet vibration to mitigate risks while doubling manpower and extending work hours. Lin emphasized that riverbed construction remains crucial to the project's success.
The steel bridge measures 560 meters (1,837 feet) in length and 12 meters (39 feet) in width, unrestricted by vehicle type but with a speed limit of 30 kilometers per hour (19 mph). Construction began Oct. 18, 2025, with a budget of NT$430 million (around US$13.65 million). The first phase saw a temporary bridge open Oct. 10, with the steel bridge marking the second phase.