By KHT Staff. AI illustration image.
KAOHSIUNG — A Ministry of Transportation and Communications (交通部) official said a proposed Taiwan Railway station near Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.’s (台積電, TSMC) Nanzih site is expected to be built, though the project is still under local review.
Political Deputy Minister of Transportation Wu Sheng-yuan (伍勝園) told lawmakers on June 18 that the city government is conducting a feasibility study for the proposed station, which has been referred to as TSMC Station (台積電站) or Nanzih Industrial Park Station (楠梓園區站).
“This station will definitely be built,” Wu said during a Legislative Yuan Transportation Committee meeting, according to CNA.
The proposed stop is part of the city’s plan to extend railway grade-separation work toward Ciaotou (橋頭) and Daliao (大寮). The broader project is expected to cost more than NT$100 billion and includes two proposed commuter stations: TSMC Station and Ciaotou Qingpu Station (橋頭青埔站).
Legislator Hsu Chih-chieh (許智傑) asked the ministry to give special attention to the station, saying it would be important for the city’s development as a technology and industrial center.
Wu said the station has not yet been submitted to the central government for review. After the city completes its feasibility study, the ministry and the Railway Bureau (鐵道局) will examine whether the proposal is reasonable and whether there is enough passenger demand to support the new stop.
He said adding a station could affect railway operations, so planners would need to consider measures such as passing tracks or skip-stop service to avoid slowing down faster trains.
Wu said the ministry would support the station if the feasibility study shows strong commuter demand.
The final station name has not been decided and would be discussed with the local government, he said.
