The transportation ministry says it’s going to spend NT$49.2 billion (US$1.5 billion) to improve the Suhua Highway along Taiwan's rugged east coast. The project is slated for completion between 2017 and 2019.
The ministry made the projections in written materials prepared for lawmakers ahead of a hearing on Monday. The transportation minister is scheduled to answer questions about the current status and future development of projects in eastern Taiwan.
The 38.8 km Suhua Highway improvement project, is aimed at improving road safety and reducing travel times. The highway, which connects southern Yilan County with Hualien County, is known for its beautiful scenery, but has also seen frequent accidents.
Calls for improvements gained urgency in 2010 after torrential rains from Typhoon Megi triggered lethal landslides along the road, killing 26 people.