The Transportation Ministry’s Highway Bureau assures the public that the Central Cross-Island Highway, otherwise known as the Provincial Route 8 Zhongheng Highway, will reopen in as soon as seven days. Wednesday’s earthquake triggered multiple rock and landslides which damaged or blocked nine areas on the major roadway.
Highway Bureau Eastern Region Branch Office Director Lin Wen-hsiung (林文雄) said in an interview on Friday that disaster surveys by land and air have already been completed. He stated that if there are no further large-magnitude earthquakes, full restoration of the highway can be completed within 10 days.
In order to keep supply lines open, the Maritime and Port Bureau has arranged for the operation of ferries. As of 10 a.m. on Friday, more than 280 trips have carried over 500 passengers between Hualien Port and Su-ao Port. The bureau stated that the reopening of Suhua Highway, otherwise known as Provincial Highway 9, estimated on Sunday, will provide further reinforcements and resupply.
In addition, Taiwan Railway (TRA) is also operating more cargo trains in response to the urgent need for relief supplies. From Thursday, two additional trains were dispatched specifically to bring food and other materials to Heping Station in Hualien’s Xiulin Township.