Long awaited for, with a fifteenth year wait, the National Highway No. 7 was officially approved by the Executive Yuan yesterday (23rd)! The total budget comes to about NT$135.79 billion. The Kaohsiung City Government greatly values the central government’s unwavering support. The future development of a north-south expressway to the east of the city will be added to improve access to the Kaohsiung Port Intercontinental Container Center, boost Kaohsiung Port's competitiveness and promote the city's traffic safety. Large trucks and passenger vehicles are effectively separated to reduce travel risks. The route begins on Nanxing Road, Xiaogang District and continues north to National Freeway 10 (Renwu), which will be completed in 2030. Construction will be in stages and opened to traffic at different times to bring about novel adjustments to Kaohsiung’s transportation system.
National Highway No. 7 has undergone 15 years of promotion and 10 years of environmental impact assessment (EIA) procedures. It passed the EIA evaluation last year and the National Development Council evaluation last month. Approved by the government on the 23rd, the total budget amounts to roughly NT$135.79 billion. The entire line is 23 kilometers long and passes through Linyuan, Xiaogang, Daliao, Fengshan, Niaosong, Renwu and other districts along the eastern foothills of Kaohsiung. The Kaohsiung-Pingtung Provincial Highway No. 2 will connect to National Highway No. 1 in the future. After opening to traffic, it is expected to reduce traffic volume by 24% on the most congested section of National Highway No. 1 in the urban area, 29% on the most congested section of National Freeway 10 (Renwu-Dingjin system) and 30% on the most congested section of Provincial Highway 88. (Wujia-Fengshan).
National Highway No. 7 is a major construction project, according to Kaohsiung City Mayor Chen Chi-mai, that affects the transportation safety of Kaohsiung City residents and the port area's freight volume. It takes both transportation and economic development into account. He appreciates the assistance of the central government and the efforts of the people’s representatives. The most vital preparatory work will be subsequently performed prior to beginning construction. The interfaces among the major constructions, such as container truck lanes, the MRT Xiaogang Linyuan Line, Kaohsiung-Pingtung East-West 2nd Expressway, and the high-speed rail southward extension to Pingtung and other major traffic routes, must first be integrated. In addition, the route design, urban planning changes and land acquisition for National Highway No. 7 will be initiated. Furthermore, one of Mayor Chen Chi-mai’s significant political opinions has prioritized major transportation construction. He has requested more than NT$176,3 billion in approved funds for road construction from the central government.
Chang Shu-chuan, the director-general of the Transportation Bureau, stated that the interface coordination meeting with the central government has already begun and that the Transportation Bureau will play an important role in facilitating communication and coordination between the central government and the local government so that the construction can proceed smoothly as scheduled. The Transportation Bureau will continue to discuss with the central government how smart transportation systems can be utilized to ensure uninterrupted traffic flow along the national highway in the future.
The Kaohsiung City Government has established a communication platform with the central government. The central and local government have collaborated to simultaneously establish a communication channel with the local government in order to listen to public opinion and protect citizens' rights and interests.
Appreciation is extended to the people’s representatives and groups who supported this case. They include legislators Li Kun-tse, Hsu Chih-chieh, Lai Jui-lung and Lin Tai-hua, along with members of the Kaohsiung City Council: Chen Chih-chung, Chiu Yu-Hsuan, Li Shun-chin, Wang Yao-yu and Huang Chieh, etc. The ministries of the central government provide full support and assistance in caring for Kaohsiung residents and constructing a safer and more convenient transportation system.