By RK Shih/Staff. Info and images via KH City Govt.
KAOHSIUNG — KAOHSIUNG — Construction began March 28 on a NT$15.6 billion transport project to improve access to the Southern Taiwan Science Park’s Kaohsiung Third Park (楠梓園區), as central and local authorities move to address mounting traffic pressure in Nanzih (楠梓) and Ciaotou (橋頭).
Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) said the project will serve as key infrastructure linking Taiwan’s semiconductor supply chain, allowing vehicles to connect more directly to National Freeway 1 (國道1號) and reducing travel times for both commuters and industrial transport.
Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) said the expanded scope reflects the project’s engineering complexity. The route must cross National Freeway 1, Provincial Highway 1 (台一線), the Houjin River (後勁溪), and Taiwan Railways tracks, while also requiring soil remediation in parts of the corridor.
The project’s budget has increased from an initial estimate of about NT$5 billion to NT$15.6 billion. Officials said the upgrades are intended to separate industrial and general traffic flows, easing congestion at key interchanges, including Nanzih and Dazhong (大中) during peak hours.
The improvements are also expected to enhance access to Zuoying High Speed Rail Station (左營高鐵站) and strengthen connectivity across northern Kaohsiung.
Officials said the upgrades are designed to both support daily commuting and strengthen logistics for the semiconductor sector as part of the broader “S Corridor” (半導體S廊帶) development in southern Taiwan.
The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2028.
Source: Based on reporting and information released by the Kaohsiung City Government (高雄市政府) and Freeway Bureau (高公局)
