KAOHSIUNG, Taiwan – Kaohsiung’s rebuilt Jiuru Bridge opened months ahead of schedule, but the bridge’s railings quickly became the main topic of discussion.
The NT$560 million project replaced a much longer elevated bridge that had blocked views and divided nearby neighbourhoods. City officials expected the early opening to be seen as a major achievement.
Instead, residents focused on the bright red barriers installed along the bridge.
Photos spread online, and many people said the repeated red frames looked like Japanese shrine gates. The criticism became so strong that workers repainted the barriers white before the official opening.
Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chi-mai agreed with the public. He said the railings were ugly and admitted that the final appearance of the project had not been handled well.
Chen compared the bridge to a successful operation finished with bad stitches. The main engineering work may be good, he said, but people will still notice a poorly finished result.
The new bridge is shorter because the railway beneath it has been moved underground. Officials say it will improve traffic and reconnect areas that were previously separated by rail infrastructure.
The bridge opened early, but its design has left the city with more work to do.
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